RPF finds illegal software used for tatkal bookings

Visakhapatnam: The Railway Protection Force (RPF), Visakhapatnam, in a major breakthrough detected two more illegal softwares, Makkhichoose and Super Tatkal, which are being used to manipulate and hack the IRCTC e-ticket portal and generate tatkal railway tickets. The raid, conducted by a special team, unearthed tatkal tickets worth Rs. 9,99,568.

Makkhichoose and Super Tatkal help book tickets faster and allows a person to use several personal user IDs and gmails simultaneously. This software also provides features like auto-filling passenger details, train and bank details, travel plans, auto-login, bypassing OTP prior to the opening of tatkal e-ticket portal so that agents are able to generate tickets within a fraction of a second by using high-speed internet and high-configuration computers. Hence, common passengers are unable to book tatkal tickets.

Based on reliable information and intelligence inputs, the RPF special team led by inspectors B. Ramu and M. Raman conducted a search at Rainbow Services located at Manchukonda Gardens in Satyanagar, Visakhapatnam. It was run by Kakinada Srinivasa Rao. The RPF seized 614 railway tickets valued at Rs. 9,99,568 along with computers, accessories, and mobile phones used to conduct business.

They also arrested Srinivasa Rao, an employee of Gangavaram Port. The port employees were his major customers. He used to collect Rs. 50 per passenger for general ticket and Rs. 200 per passenger for AC tickets. A case was registered against him at RPF, Marripalem, and he was produced before VI MM court for Railways, Visakhapatnam, and remanded to judicial custody.

Apart from this, similar searches were also conducted at M.P Colony, NAD Junction, in Vizag city, and Narasannapeta, Bobbili, Rayagada, and Gunupur in Odisha. The RPF seized 347 tickets valued at Rs. 5,37,742 and arrested the culprits during the week.

“Such raids are being conducted across India as per the directions of the DG, RPF, to prevent illegal touting and ensure that passengers get tatkal tickets hassle-free, without being fleeced by touts. So far, Waltair division could detect three illegal softwares which were used to hoodwink the IRCTC website and passengers,” said Jitendra Srivastava, senior divisional security commissioner, RPF, Visakhapatnam.