Shocking Theft at Jabalpur Station: Passenger Forced to Hand Over ₹25K Watch After Samosa UPI Payment Fails
The shocking incident has raised concerns about safety at railway stations, prompting a police investigation into the theft
A passenger’s wish to have a samosa before catching his train cost him more dearly than he had anticipated. A samosa, usually sold for a menial price of ₹5 or 10, cost the man his watch.
The incident reportedly took place at the Jabalpur railway station of Madhya Pradesh on October 17.
While the passenger had been trying to make a UPI payment for his purchase, he saw that his train started leaving the platform. As he ran to catch it, the samosa seller grabbed him by the collar and asked him to pay.
The passenger tried to make the digital payment again, but it didn’t seem to work. Left with no other option, the passenger handed over his watch.
The West Central Railway also took note of the incident and said that the samosa seller had been identified as Sandeep Gupta. “At Jabalpur station, a vendor snatched the watch of a passenger after he made a purchase from him. Taking quick action, the Railway Administration identified the vendor and he was arrested under Railway Act and a case was registered,” West Central Railway CPRO Harshit Srivastava was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
The railway official also said that Sandeep Gupta’s licence was being cancelled. The samosa seller’s arrest and further action taken against him was also questioned by many online, citing his poor background.
Many asked what was the vendor supposed to do if the customer was leaving without paying.
The viral video, based on which the Railways initiated an action. had also shown the vendor giving some more samosas to the passenger after he was handed the watch. Social media users cited the same to argue that he meant to harm, and was only trying to get paid for his service.
In a shocking incident at Jabalpur Railway Station, a passenger was forced to hand over a ₹25,000 watch after his UPI payment for a samosa failed. The incident, which occurred during peak travel hours, has sent ripples through the city and raised serious concerns about passenger safety at railway stations.
According to eyewitnesses, the passenger had approached a small food stall at the station to purchase a samosa. When his UPI payment failed, an argument ensued between the customer and the stall operator. Reports indicate that the situation escalated quickly when two men, allegedly accomplices of the stall owner, grabbed the passenger and threatened him to hand over his watch, which was valued at approximately ₹25,000.
The entire ordeal lasted only a few minutes, but it left the passenger shaken and drew the attention of nearby travelers. A few bystanders attempted to intervene, but the assailants fled the scene before the railway police could arrive.
The Jabalpur Railway Police has registered a formal complaint and begun an investigation into the incident. Officers are reviewing CCTV footage from the station and questioning stall operators and nearby witnesses to track down the perpetrators.
A senior railway police official said, “We are taking this matter very seriously. Passenger safety is our top priority, and we will ensure that the culprits are identified and brought to justice. We urge travelers to be cautious while making transactions, especially at crowded public places.”
The incident has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many expressing shock that a petty dispute over a samosa could escalate into armed theft. Several users criticized the lack of security measures at railway stations and called for stricter surveillance and monitoring of food vendors.
Local commuters shared similar experiences of theft and harassment at the station, highlighting a recurring problem. “This is not the first time something like this has happened. Small vendors often operate without proper verification, and passengers become easy targets,” said one frequent traveler.
Railway authorities have assured travelers that additional measures are being implemented to prevent such incidents. These include:
Increased CCTV coverage across platforms and stalls
Frequent patrolling by railway police
Background checks on food vendors operating within station premises
Public awareness campaigns urging travelers to avoid carrying excessive valuables
Authorities also advise passengers to use digital payments cautiously and keep high-value items secure while traveling.
While the incident might appear minor in the context of a single theft, it reflects larger issues of public safety and enforcement at railway stations. Experts suggest that overcrowding, insufficient security staff, and unregulated vendors contribute to an environment where crimes can occur quickly and efficiently.
Travelers are encouraged to remain vigilant, report suspicious behavior immediately, and prioritize personal safety over small purchases when in crowded areas.
