The Supreme Court on Friday declined to entertain a petition seeking a comprehensive audit of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC)’s Tatkal booking system, which the petitioner alleged suffers from technological flaws that hinder genuine users.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar advised the petitioner to approach the appropriate High Court instead.
“Go to the high court. You have raised a point. We had another writ petition which said Tatkal should not be there. Now, you are saying there is some issue with regard to the Tatkal website itself. Please go to the high court,” the bench told the petitioner.
The Court made it clear that it was not commenting on the merits of the petition.
Key Concerns Raised In The Petition
The plea called for a detailed technical audit of the IRCTC’s Tatkal ticketing system, which allows travelers to book limited seats one day prior to their journey. The petitioner alleged that system glitches and security loopholes were making it difficult for genuine users to secure bookings, while unauthorised agents and touts were exploiting the flaws using automated bots and illegal software.
The petition specifically sought:
- A full audit to detect and rectify any technological failures in the Tatkal system.
- Cybersecurity upgrades to block automated or bot-based ticket purchases.
- A compliance report from the authorities detailing actions taken to enhance system transparency and prevent misuse.
Alleged Exploitation Of The Tatkal System
The petitioner argued that the current IRCTC infrastructure is not adequately equipped to handle the volume and speed of Tatkal bookings, leaving ordinary users at a disadvantage. According to the plea, advanced software and bots allegedly used by touts often beat genuine users to the booking process, denying many access to the time-sensitive quota.
The plea also highlighted the lack of transparency and insufficient enforcement mechanisms to prevent repeated misuse by unauthorised agents.
Next Steps For The Petitioner
The Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the matter does not mark the end of the road for the petitioner. By directing them to the jurisdictional High Court, the apex court has left the door open for legal recourse at the state level, where evidence of system vulnerabilities and misuse can be further examined.
Tatkal Booking System Under Scrutiny
The Tatkal booking system has long been a topic of public debate, particularly around fairness and accessibility. With increasing reports of technological manipulation and unauthorized bookings, there is growing pressure on authorities to introduce reforms that make the system more equitable.
While the Supreme Court has declined to step in directly, the issue may now gain momentum in the High Courts, potentially paving the way for judicial scrutiny of IRCTC’s booking infrastructure and practices.
