1.27 crore items stolen, ₹104-cr loss: RTI reveals 56% jump in Railway linen theft

Hindustan TimesIndependentCenter9 hr. ago

Between January 2022 and May 2026, over 1.27 crore linen items, including bedrolls, sheets, and towels, were stolen from Indian Railways trains, resulting in a loss of approximately ₹104.51 crore to contractors. This represents a 56% increase in thefts compared to previous years. The majority of stolen items were towels, followed by bedsheets and pillow covers. Ten railway divisions accounted for 67% of all thefts, with Bikaner and Ranchi being the worst affected. Some regions, like Delhi, saw significant reductions in thefts. Contractors bear the financial burden of these losses, recovering costs through deductions from the salaries of train attendants responsible for linen distribution.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual data on linen thefts from Indian Railways without overtly favoring any political side. It reports on the issue objectively, citing figures and regional breakdowns, while mentioning both the scale of the problem and efforts made by certain regions to reduce thefts. There

The Indian ExpressIndependentCenteryesterday

The Indian Express reports that over four years, approximately 1.27 crore (12.7 million) items of linen such as bedsheets, towels, blankets, and pillows have been stolen from air-conditioned railway coaches operated by Indian Railways. The article highlights the scale of the thefts, which have caused significant losses for the organization. It notes that these incidents have raised concerns about security and accountability within the railway system. While the report does not provide specific details on the perpetrators or the measures being taken to prevent future thefts, it underscores the need for improved safeguards to protect railway assets.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of a systemic issue affecting Indian Railways without overtly criticizing or praising any political entity. It focuses on the problem itself rather than taking a partisan stance. There is no clear ideological framing or emphasis on specific political groups, so