Passengers travelling in AC coaches of Indian Railways allegedly stole more than 1.27 crore linen items between January 2022 and May 2026, resulting in an estimated loss of ₹104.51 crore, according to data obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) application.
The RTI findings, compiled from 54 railway divisions across the country, reveal the scale of linen theft on long-distance trains. Every night, Indian Railways provides bedroll kits to over eight lakh AC passengers, but a significant number of these items reportedly never return to the railway inventory.
The data shows that face
towels were the most commonly stolen item, with 46.54 lakh reported missing during the four-year period. Bedsheets followed at 41.13 lakh, while 23.59 lakh pillow covers, 12.95 lakh blankets and 2.76 lakh pillows were also reported missing.
The report further highlights a sharp rise in such incidents, with linen thefts increasing by 56 per cent between 2022 and 2025.
Among the railway divisions, Bikaner reported the highest number of stolen linen items at 25.76 lakh, followed by Ranchi with 9.31 lakh and Delhi with 8.21 lakh. Mumbai recorded 8.17 lakh missing items, while Jodhpur reported 8.09 lakh.
Together, ten railway divisions across seven railway zones accounted for nearly 67 per cent of all reported linen thefts.
The RTI data also revealed regional trends in the type of linen stolen. Towels emerged as the most frequently stolen item in several divisions.
Bikaner reported the highest number of missing bedsheets, Jodhpur recorded the most blanket thefts, while pillow covers were the most commonly stolen items in Sonpur and Bilaspur divisions.
The financial burden of these thefts is reportedly not limited to the Railways. Contractors responsible for supplying and maintaining linen claimed that the cost of missing items is often recovered from the salaries of coach attendants.
According to one attendant, monthly deductions ranging from ₹2,000 to ₹3,000 are made to compensate for the losses.
The RTI covered 54 railway divisions, though some divisions submitted only partial information. As a result, the reported loss of ₹104.51 crore and theft of 1.27 crore linen items are likely to be conservative estimates, with the actual figures expected to be higher.
Reacting to the findings, the Railway Ministry termed the issue a matter of “serious concern” and said efforts are being intensified to prevent linen theft and take action against offenders.
The ministry, however, said it has found no evidence to suggest the involvement or collusion of railway staff in the thefts.
