Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav on Thursday praised the traveling ticket examiner who two days ago fined his parents-in-law for traveling without tickets on a train in Bihar.

Lalu said it should be a lesson for others traveling without tickets. "The prompt action is a matter of pride for the Railways. The TTE's bold step to immediately charge money from them is commendable. It should be a lesson for those traveling without tickets," he said.

He was addressing the media after IRCTC and ICICI signed a memorandum of understanding to extend the sale of e-tickets through merchant establishments located across 125 cities.

The railway minister admitted that it was a mistake on the part of his parents-in-law but added that it was quickly rectified as they paid the fine.

Rabri Devi's father Shiva Prasad Choudhary and his wife had on Monday boarded an AC first class coach of Darbhanga-New Delhi Sampark Kranti Express. They were allowed to continue their journey after tickets were issued to them on AC first class fare.