Indian Railways Reports Over 52,000 Arrests Between 2021 and 2025 to Strengthen Passenger Safety
Indian Railways has reported more than 52,000 arrests over the past five years as part of efforts to strengthen passenger safety and protect railway assets. According to information presented in the Lok Sabha, enforcement actions by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and other agencies have targeted offences ranging from theft of railway property to stone‑throwing incidents and sabotage attempts. The measures form part of a broader strategy to improve operational safety while complementing wider initiatives using technology to improve rail services, as explored in AI and technology transforming India’s rail travel experience.
Details released by the Ministry of Railways and published through the Press Information Bureau show that between 2021 and 2025 authorities arrested 52,494 individuals under the Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1966. During the same period, complaints were filed in relevant courts against 50,432 accused persons.
Enforcement action against offences affecting railway operations
The Railway Protection Force is responsible for safeguarding railway property and investigating offences such as theft, dishonest misappropriation, abetment, conspiracy and unlawful possession of railway assets. After cases are registered and investigated, complaints are filed before Special Railway Magistrates or district courts in states where dedicated railway courts are not established.
In addition to property‑related crimes, authorities have also addressed incidents affecting train operations and passenger safety. Over the five‑year period, 12,157 cases of stone‑throwing were recorded across the railway network. Enforcement action led to the arrest of 8,441 individuals by the RPF and the Government Railway Police (GRP).
During the same period, Indian Railways recorded three train derailments linked to deliberate acts by miscreants. These incidents occurred in the Waltair Division of East Coast Railway, the Jhansi Division of North Central Railway and the Chennai Division of Southern Railway.
Coordinated security and intelligence measures
To prevent sabotage and other criminal interference with railway tracks, Indian Railways works closely with state police forces and intelligence agencies. Regular meetings of the State Level Security Committee for Railways (SLSCR) are held under the chairmanship of the Director General of Police or Police Commissioner of the respective state or union territory. These committees bring together representatives from the RPF, GRP and intelligence units to coordinate crime prevention, investigations and operational safety.
The RPF also operates dedicated intelligence units, including the Crime Intelligence Branch (CIB) and Special Intelligence Branch (SIB), to gather and analyse information related to potential threats. Their work supports wider national efforts to strengthen security and resilience, reflecting the broader policy focus on strengthening India’s security and defence capabilities across both physical and digital domains.
Preventive patrols, surveillance and community awareness
Operational measures are also in place along railway corridors. The railway administration, along with the RPF, GRP and civil police, conducts regular patrols in identified black spots and sensitive locations. These patrols aim to deter vandalism, track obstruction and other activities that could disrupt train services.
Authorities also conduct regular drives to remove loose materials and debris near railway tracks that could potentially be used to create obstructions. Public awareness campaigns are carried out among communities living near railway lines, highlighting the risks of placing objects on tracks or removing railway components and encouraging residents to report suspicious activity.
Technology is increasingly being used to support surveillance. Drones are deployed in certain areas, and solar‑powered standalone CCTV cameras are being installed to monitor vulnerable locations. These measures align with broader national discussions about safeguarding critical infrastructure, including initiatives addressing emerging risks such as those explored in India’s approach to protecting digital infrastructure in the quantum era.
The information was provided by Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, and Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw in response to a question in the Lok Sabha.
