Indian Railways Responds After YouTuber Alleges Being Drugged and Robbed on 2AC Train Journey
The Indian Railways has issued a response following alarming claims made by travel vlogger Kanika Devrani, who alleged that she was drugged and robbed while traveling in a 2AC coach of the Brahmaputra Mail from Delhi to Guwahati. According to Devrani, the incident occurred when the train halted at New Jalpaiguri Junction (NJP) in West Bengal.
Devrani, in a video shared on Instagram titled “Indian Railway is not safe”, alleged that an unknown individual boarded the 2AC coach without a valid ticket, sprayed an unknown substance that rendered her unconscious, and stole her iPhone 15 Pro Max. She claimed her co-passengers were also targeted.
🔍 What the YouTuber Claimed
Kanika Devrani stated that she had opted for a 2nd AC ticket due to unavailability of First AC, trusting it would be secure. During the stop at NJP, she was asleep with her phone charging under her pillow. A man, who had reportedly interacted with her about seat numbers earlier, allegedly sprayed something on her, leading her to lose consciousness. When she woke up, her phone was gone.
She tracked the stolen phone via the Find My Device feature, which showed it moving in Malda, West Bengal. She then tagged @WBPolice and @malda_police on X (formerly Twitter), urging them to take immediate action.
🚨 Criticism of RPF and Authorities
Devrani alleged that both Railway Protection Force (RPF) and local police failed to act, even after being informed of the phone’s live location. She questioned how a person without a ticket could gain access to a reserved coach and remain undetected by railway staff.
📢 Passenger Safety Concerns Flood Social Media
The video quickly went viral, sparking intense concern on social media regarding passenger safety in premium coaches like 2AC. Many users slammed railway authorities, demanding:
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Stricter ticket checks
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Installation of CCTV cameras in coaches
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More vigilant patrolling, especially during unscheduled stops at night
One user commented: “This is the sad reality of traveling in Indian trains. Passenger safety is not a priority.”
Another wrote: “If anyone can walk into 2AC unchecked, how can passengers feel safe—especially women?”
🛡️ Indian Railways’ Response
Following the uproar, Indian Railways acknowledged the incident and assured that the matter is being investigated. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage at NJP and Malda stations, and coordination has been initiated with West Bengal Police to track down the suspect using the phone’s location data.
