A disturbing case of alleged fraud has surfaced in Madhya Pradesh after silver coins presented as mementos to retired Indian Railways employees in Bhopal were found to be largely fake. What was meant to be a gesture of gratitude for years of public service has instead left several retired officials feeling humiliated and cheated, triggering a police investigation and an internal vigilance probe by the Railways.

The incident came to light when some retired employees of the West Central Railway (WCR), who had received the coins during retirement ceremonies, attempted to sell them. On testing, the coins were found to contain only 0.23 per cent silver, with the remaining composition largely copper, according to reports.

“This is an insult, not a memento”

For the retired staff, the discovery was both shocking and deeply hurtful. Many had believed the coins symbolised the Railways’ appreciation of their service.

“We thought this was a memento of the department, a mark of respect for our years of service. When we found out it was copper, we felt cheated. This is an insult,” said D K Gautam, a retired railway official, who later approached the police.

Gautam lodged a formal complaint at the Bajariya Police Station in Bhopal, following which the matter drew the attention of both local law enforcement and railway authorities.

How the alleged scam unfolded

According to information that has emerged so far, an Indore-based firm, M/s Viable Diamonds, was awarded a contract to supply silver coins for distribution among retiring railway staff. The order was for 3,640 coins, with each coin valued at approximately ₹2,500.

However, the company allegedly supplied 3,631 coins that were mostly made of copper, with only a trace amount of silver. Based on preliminary estimates, the Railways may have suffered a loss of around ₹90 lakh due to the substitution of genuine silver with cheaper metal.

Once the issue surfaced, the Railways moved swiftly to blacklist the firm, effectively barring it from future contracts. The matter has since escalated into a criminal investigation.

Police and vigilance probes underway

Sub-inspector Arvind Kumar Singh of Bajariya Police Station confirmed that the police have sought detailed information from the Railways, including procurement documents, payment records, and correspondence with the supplier.

“Once we receive all the relevant documents from the Railways, arrests will be made,” Singh said, indicating that criminal liability is being examined.

At the same time, the West Central Railway has initiated its own internal inquiry. WCR Chief Public Relations Officer Naval Agarwal said the Railways is taking the matter seriously.

“The Railways is investigating the incident, and a Vigilance team has submitted an application to the police as well,” Agarwal told reporters, adding that accountability would be fixed after the probe.

A repeat offender?

What has added to the gravity of the case is the revelation that this may not be the first time M/s Viable Diamonds has been linked to such allegations.

In September 2025, a similar scandal reportedly surfaced in the Northern Railway (NR), Lucknow division. In that case, medals presented to employees for long service, safety achievements, innovation, and sports excellence during official functions were found to be fake.

The fraud was detected at the General Store Depot (GSD) in Alambagh, Lucknow. Officials estimated that the financial irregularity in that case was around ₹30–40 lakh, while the original value of the medals should have been close to ₹1.3 crore. The striking similarities between the two cases have raised serious questions about procurement oversight within the Railways.

Questions over procurement and quality checks

The Bhopal incident has once again exposed potential gaps in procurement processes and quality verification mechanisms within large government organisations. While the Railways handles massive volumes of purchases every year, critics argue that ceremonial items such as medals and mementos often escape rigorous scrutiny.

For the retired employees, however, the issue goes beyond financial loss.

“These coins were not just metal; they represented recognition,” said one former railway worker, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Finding out they are fake feels like our service was treated casually.”

Wider implications

The case has sparked outrage on social media and among railway unions, many of which are demanding stricter checks, punishment for those responsible, and a formal apology to the affected retirees. Some have also called for compensation or replacement of the fake coins with genuine mementos.

As investigations progress, the spotlight will remain not only on the supplier but also on the officials who cleared the purchase and accepted the consignment. With two similar cases emerging within months, pressure is mounting on the Railways to overhaul its vendor vetting and inspection systems.

For now, what began as a ceremonial gesture has turned into a symbol of alleged betrayal, leaving retired railway employees seeking answers, accountability, and restoration of dignity they believe was denied to them.