Family Caught on Video Allegedly Stealing Bedsheets from First-Class AC Purushottam Express; Sparks Online Outrage

A video from the Purushottam Express has taken social media by storm and left many shocked. The clip shows a family allegedly trying to steal railway bedsheets while travelling in the first-class AC coach. The Purushottam Express is a superfast train that runs between Puri in Odisha and New Delhi and passes through states like West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh.

The Incident on the Platform

According to the viral video shared on X (formerly Twitter) by user Bapi Sahoo, railway staff stopped a family of three after the train arrived at its destination. Two Travelling Ticket Examiners (TTEs) and other railway staff can be seen surrounding the family and questioning them. 

The woman in the group is seen slowly pulling out bedsheets from her bag, while the men with her avoid giving clear answers. Sahoo captioned the clip: “Traveling in 1st AC of Purushottam Express is a matter of pride in itself. But still there are people who don’t hesitate to steal and take home those bedsheets supplied for additional comfort during travel.”

So far, railway authorities have not confirmed when and where the incident happened or whether any action was taken against the passengers. But the video has already sparked a big debate online about behavior and civic sense.

Traveling in 1st AC of Purushottam express is a matter of pride itself.

But still people are there who don't hesitate to steal and take home those bedsheets supplied for additional comfort during travel. pic.twitter.com/0LgbXPQ2Uj

— ଦେବବ୍ରତ Sahoo 🇮🇳 (@bapisahoo) September 19, 2025

Netizens React with Anger

Many people online expressed their disappointment and anger after watching the clip.
One user criticized the lack of basic values, writing, “It seems like these people inherited this behavior. No matter how much they’re educated, no matter how rich they are. Lack of civic sense and no morals are engraved to the core.”

Another person pointed to what they feel is a wider problem, saying, “The Indian mindset of ‘chori karo, bas pakde mat jao’ (steal, just don’t get caught) reflects a serious moral failure. The only reason why petty crimes like theft in trains, hotels, and other public places continue to happen.”

Someone else called out the family for their actions after returning from a holy trip, writing, “Never do the same like this family has done (they returned from tirthayatra). Think about the staff who works there and unnecessarily gives a fine from his own pocket if counting falls short.”

Another user suggested a solution: “Why can’t @RailMinIndia and @AshwiniVaishnaw implement a rail hostess-type system? It will also create employment and charge passengers who want facilities, rather than providing everything for free, which would lead to people looting national resources.”

What the Law Says About Stealing Railway Property

Stealing bedsheets or any railway property is not a small matter. According to reports, under Section 3 of the Indian Railways Act, 1966, taking or damaging railway property is a crime. For a first-time offense, a person can be punished with up to one year in jail, a fine of up to Rs 1,000, or both. If someone repeats the crime or the theft is serious, the punishment can reportedly go up to five years in prison along with a bigger fine.

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) regularly checks trains to prevent such incidents. Passengers are clearly told that all linen items provided in AC coaches, bedsheets, blankets, and pillows, must be returned at the end of the journey. Keeping them or trying to hide them can lead to legal trouble.