Varanasi: A student from Bihar who had gone to Varanasi to take an examination became embroiled in an unexpected dispute at the Varanasi Cantonment railway station after a food vendor allegedly billed him ₹120 for a plate of chole bhature that was advertised at only ₹20. The incident, recorded on video, has since gone viral on social media and has renewed concerns about vendors overcharging at railway stations.
The student promptly approached police personnel stationed at the railway station, following which the excess amount was reportedly refunded on the spot.
Student alleges he was misled on price
In the viral video, the student, identified as Pintu Kumar from Bihar, informed officials that he had been promised a plate of chole with six bhaturas for ₹20. However, after he finished eating, the vendor allegedly asked him to pay ₹120. In the video, a police officer is seen questioning the student about what had happened.
"₹20 ka chole bhature bolkar chhah piece diye aur ₹120 le liya," the student says, explaining that he had been promised the meal for ₹20 but was later charged six times the amount.
He further claimed that he was not the only one affected and that several students who had travelled from Bihar for examinations had faced similar treatment.
"Hum log Bihar se exam dene aaye hain. Kai students se bhi liya hai," he is heard saying in the clip.
Police intervene, vendor asked to return money
The video shows police personnel confronting the vendor over the complaint. As the questioning continues, the officer asks why customers were being charged more than the quoted price.
The vendor, appearing apologetic, assures the police that such an incident would not be repeated. The officer then instructs him to immediately return the excess amount collected from the student.
"₹20 ka samaan bolke ₹120 le rahe ho, ye theek hai? Iska paisa wapas karo," the officer is heard saying before directing the vendor to refund the money.
The student was subsequently handed back the amount in the presence of police officials.
Video sparks reactions online
The video has triggered a wave of reactions on social media, with users expressing mixed views on the student's complaint, the vendor's pricing, and the police intervention.
While many users supported the student and called for stricter checks on overcharging at railway stations, others questioned whether a plate containing six bhaturas could realistically be sold for just ₹20 in 2026.
One user wrote, "20 rs me kon khila raha 6 bhature 2026 me?", suggesting that the advertised price itself appeared too low to be believable.
Another social media user recounted a similar incident at the station, saying, "I asked for sweet lime juice there. The seller gave me a large glass, the one that costs 40, and then poured another glass into the same one. I assumed I would get two glasses for 40. I drank it, but then he tried to charge me 80 rupees."
Some users claimed that the issue extends beyond railway station vendors. One comment read, "Poore Varanasi ke restaurant me ye cheating chalti hai aur kayi restaurant me khane ki price list he nahi hai."
Others defended the vendor, arguing that the pricing may have been misunderstood. One user wrote, "Shi charge toh kiya shop wale ne. 20 Rs per plate, 120... 6 plates ka."
A similar reaction stated, "6 bhature + chhole 120 mein bhi saste hain."
Not every comment centered on the pricing dispute; some users also raised concerns about the conduct of authorities. One widely noted remark online stated, "This very police officer is probably taking thousands in bribes."