No more rail vlogs: Eastern Railway steps up surveillance after espionage case

The arrest of YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who shared content from sensitive sites like Sealdah station and Dakshineswar temple, has led Eastern Railway officials to increase scrutiny on digital creators and spark national debate on content responsibility and security

In the wake of recent security concerns, Eastern Railway (ER) has issued a renewed advisory cautioning bloggers, vloggers, and social media influencers against recording videos or capturing photographs at railway stations within its jurisdiction. The move follows the arrest of a Haryana-based YouTuber, Jyoti Malhotra, who is currently under investigation for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistani intelligence agencies.

Eastern Railway officials have emphasized that several of its stations serve as vital transportation hubs and are considered highly sensitive from a national security perspective. As a result, the railway authorities are stepping up surveillance measures and reiterating restrictions on unauthorized content creation in and around station premises.

An Eastern Railway spokesperson clarified that while such regulations on photography and videography have always been in place, recent developments have made it necessary to enforce them more strictly. “Some individuals continue to film video blogs or take detailed shots of stations, often ignoring rules that are already in force. This is a serious concern for us,” the spokesperson said.

Surveillance tightened at key stations

Officials also confirmed that surveillance systems at major stations will be intensified to deter unauthorized filming and ensure compliance with the advisory. Only accredited journalists covering specific official events are permitted to conduct media activities at stations, while independent creators do not have such clearance.

The arrest of Malhotra, who had posted content featuring prominent locations such as Sealdah station and the Dakshineswar temple, has prompted heightened scrutiny of digital content creators operating in sensitive areas. Her case has sparked a broader national conversation around the responsibilities of content creators in matters involving public infrastructure and security.

With this advisory, Eastern Railway aims to reinforce the importance of adhering to established security protocols, urging the public to remain cautious and cooperate with authorities to safeguard national interests.