Samosa Vendor Confiscates Passenger's Smartwatch Over Failed Rs 20 Payment at Jabalpur Railway Station

A disturbing incident at Jabalpur Railway Station in Madhya Pradesh has become viral on social media, generating widespread concern about vendor conduct and passenger safety at railway platforms. A video lasting 34 seconds shows a samosa vendor seizing a passenger by his collar, pulling him away, and ultimately confiscating his smartwatch, estimated to be worth approximately Rs 2,000, as compensation for a Rs 20 snack.

The confrontation occurred on October 17 at platform number 5 of Jabalpur station. After purchasing samosas, a young traveler attempted to pay using a digital method. However, network issues prevented the transaction from completing successfully. As the train began departing, the passenger offered to make the payment later and even captured an image of the vendor's QR code.

This response infuriated the vendor, who grasped the passenger's collar and prevented him from boarding his train. Despite the young man's continuous appeals and attempts to complete the digital payment, the vendor refused to release him until he surrendered his smartwatch. Only after relinquishing the watch was the passenger permitted to leave.

According to witnesses, fellow passengers were shocked by the incident. Many recorded the altercation but were hesitant to step in and assist.

In response to the viral video, the Jabalpur Division Railway Manager (DRM) took swift action. The vendor's license has been suspended, and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has registered a case and arrested the individual.

This incident occurs against a backdrop of mounting passenger complaints within the Indian Railways system. Over 61 lakh grievances were filed during just two financial years (2023-24 and 2024-25). Data revealed by the Railway Board in response to an RTI application submitted by Chandra Shekhar Gaur from Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh, reveals troubling trends in passenger experiences, with security concerns, cleanliness issues, and electrical failures being the most common complaints.

In the 2024-25 period alone, the Railways recorded 32.08 lakh complaints, representing an 11 percent increase from the 28.96 lakh filed in 2023-24. While complaints about train services increased by 18 percent, grievances related to railway stations decreased by 21 percent, indicating uneven progress throughout the network.

Security emerged as passengers' primary concern. Safety-related complaints on trains increased dramatically by 64 percent, from 4.57 lakh in 2023-24 to over 7.50 lakh in 2024-25. Over this two-year period, security issues accounted for 12.07 lakh complaints, approximately one-quarter of all train-related grievances.