CBI probes fake gold-plated medals scam in Indian Railways contract
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a case against an Indore-based medal supplier for allegedly providing fake gold-plated medals to Western Central Railways (WCR) in Jabalpur. The medals, meant for retired railway personnel, were found to contain mostly copper instead of the contracted silver. In January 2023, Western Central Railways placed an order for 3,640 gold-plated silver medals, valued at Rs 49.68 lakh. The contract specified that the medals should be made of pure silver with a gold coating. Viable Diamonds Indore was awarded the supply deal.
Initial tests in October 2023 suggested the medals met the required standards, showing 99% pure silver content. However, a fresh sampling in September 2025 revealed a drastic discrepancy—the medals contained only 0.0023% silver, with 99.80% copper. The CBI has now registered a case against the supplier firm and unnamed WCR officials. No further railway employees have been formally suspected of involvement in the alleged fraud.
The investigation will determine how the fake medals passed initial checks. The supplier was legally bound to deliver silver-based medals, not copper. The outcome may lead to further action against those responsible for the breach of contract.
