Indian Railways Cracks Down on Misleading Social Media Videos
Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw Monitors train operations through CCTV Image credit Ministry of Railways
Railways warns strict legal action under Section 145(B) against those spreading panic.
By TRH News Desk
New Delhi, October 19, 2025 —The Ministry of Railways has launched a strict crackdown on individuals and groups circulating “old and misleading videos” on social media platforms to “create unnecessary panic” among passengers. The move comes after several “fake profiles” on Twitter (X), Instagram, and YouTube were found sharing outdated visuals of crowded railway stations and trains, falsely linking them to the ongoing festive travel rush.
In the past four days, Indian Railways (IR) has publicly flagged more than 20 such cases as “old and misleading videos” through its verified social media handles, said a media statement by the Railways. “FIRs have been registered against the accused, and investigations have confirmed that the videos originated from past years but were being re-shared to spread confusion and alarm,” said an official of the Railways.
Officials said that those involved in circulating such misleading content will face prosecution under Section 145(B) of the Indian Railways Act, which prescribes imprisonment of up to six months for offenders.
“Indian Railways will not show any leniency towards individuals or entities attempting to mislead the public or tarnish the reputation of the organisation through false, edited, or outdated content,” the ministry said in an official statement. “This step reinforces our zero-tolerance policy against digital misinformation and ensures transparent, reliable communication with passengers—especially during the busy festive season,” it added.
Last year, a stampede-like situation had occurred at New Delhi Railway Station after fake social media posts falsely claimed train cancellations during the festive rush, leading to overcrowding and confusion among passengers. The recent misinformation campaign, officials said, appears to be a continuation of such deliberate attempts to spread chaos online.
Meanwhile, many users on social media have expressed support for the Railways’ action, tagging the trend as #YatriJihad—a campaign to expose fake, politically motivated handles spreading sensational and misleading videos merely for views.
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