A serious case of alleged fraud has surfaced in the West Central Railway (WCR), where fake silver coins—actually gold-plated copper coins—were reportedly distributed to retired railway employees as a token of appreciation. The matter came to light after defects were found in thousands of coins, prompting a high-level investigation.

According to WCR Chief Public Relations Officer Harshit Srivastava, nearly 3,600 coins were procured for distribution. Preliminary testing of some samples by a NABL-accredited laboratory revealed serious discrepancies, following which the supplier company was found guilty. Recovery proceedings have now been initiated.

Fraud Suspected Over Last Two Years

Railway officials suspect that the distribution of fake coins may have been taking place for the last two years. The Railway Board has also begun examining whether similar incidents have occurred in other railway zones across the country.

WCR CPRO Harshit Srivastava told TV9 Bharatvarsh that although around 3,600 coins were ordered, defects were confirmed during sample testing, which led to a wider probe.

How the Matter Was Exposed

The case first came to light in Rajasthan, where a retired railway employee grew suspicious about the coin’s quality. Laboratory testing revealed that the so-called silver coin contained only about 0.25% silver, confirming it was largely copper with gold plating. A vigilance inquiry was subsequently launched.

A similar incident was later detected in Madhya Pradesh, particularly in the Bhopal Railway Division. Retired employees there were also found to have received fake coins. Lab analysis showed the coins contained merely 0.23 grams of silver, far below acceptable standards.

Jabalpur Division at the Centre of the Case

Officials confirmed that the matter primarily relates to the Jabalpur Railway Division, which falls under West Central Railway. WCR’s headquarters is located in Jabalpur.

West Central Railway is a major zone of Indian Railways, comprising three divisions:

• Jabalpur Division

• Bhopal Division

• Kota Division

The zone serves large parts of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and some areas of Uttar Pradesh, with key stations including Jabalpur, Bhopal, Kota, Itarsi, Katni, Satna, and Sawai Madhopur.

Ongoing Probe

Railway authorities have assured that strict action will be taken once the investigation is complete. The vigilance and administrative inquiry is ongoing, and officials are working to identify accountability at all levels, including procurement and quality checks.