Indian Railways Linen Theft has emerged as a major concern after an RTI-based investigation revealed surprising figures. Between January 2022 and May 2026, at least 1.27 crore bedroll items reportedly went missing from AC coaches across the railway network.
Every night, around eight lakh AC passengers receive bedroll kits during their journeys. These usually include bedsheets, a blanket, a pillow, a pillow cover and a face towel. However, officials said some passengers take these items with them after completing their journey.
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RTI data reveals that 1.27 crore linen items went missing from Indian Railways AC coaches in over four years
The Indian Railways Linen Theft reportedly increased by 56% between 2022 and 2025. The missing items have caused an estimated loss of ₹104.51 crore to bedroll contractors. Coach attendants have also claimed that contractors sometimes recover these losses from their salaries.
Towels were the most commonly missing items, with around 46.54 lakh reportedly stolen. They were followed by 41.13 lakh bedsheets, 23.59 lakh pillow covers, 12.95 lakh blankets and 2.76 lakh pillows during the period covered by the data.
The Indian Railways Linen Theft was concentrated in several major railway divisions. Ten divisions across seven zones reportedly accounted for 67% of the total missing linen. These included Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Ranchi, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Sonpur, Danapur and Bilaspur.
The Ministry of Railways has described the issue as a serious concern. Officials said efforts are underway to prevent further losses and take action against offenders. The Indian Railways Linen Theft data has also raised fresh questions about passenger behaviour and the management of onboard services.
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