Army Jawan Beaten at Toll Plaza; NHAI Slaps ₹20 Lakh Fine on Operator
Army Jawan Beaten at Toll Plaza; NHAI Slaps ₹20 Lakh Fine on Operator
Meerut: It is deeply shameful for us as citizens when the very people who defend our borders are humiliated within their own country. In a disturbing incident from Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut district, an Army soldier was brutally assaulted by toll plaza employees when he was simply trying to return to his duty post in Srinagar.
The soldier, Kapil Kavad of the Rajput Regiment, had just completed his leave at his native village in Gotka and was on his way to catch a flight from Delhi to reach Srinagar. On Sunday evening, his car got stuck in a long queue at the Bhuni toll plaza in the Sarurpur area. Anxious about missing his flight, Kapil stepped out to request the toll staff to let him pass quickly. Despite showing his Army identity card, he was allegedly forced to pay toll fees.
According to Kapil, when he tried to explain his urgency, the toll workers snatched his ID card and mobile phone. When he protested, they allegedly dragged him, pinned him against a pole, and beat him with sticks and rods while hurling abuses. Some workers reportedly held his hands so he could not defend himself.
His father, Krishna Pal, who was accompanying him along with his cousin Shivam, recalled the ordeal. “Kapil pleaded with them that he had a flight to catch and that he was exempted from toll charges. Instead of understanding, one of them mocked him, saying ‘Are you some judge?’ and threw his ID card on the ground. Within moments, 8–10 men surrounded him and began thrashing him brutally.”
Videos of the assault went viral on social media, drawing widespread anger. The footage showed toll staff holding Kapil against a pole while others beat him with sticks. His cousin was also roughed up during the scuffle.
The violence sparked outrage in the local area as well. On Monday, hundreds of villagers gathered at the toll plaza, vandalising kiosks and barriers in protest. They staged a sit-in, demanding strict action against the attackers. Police had to intervene and pacify the crowd, assuring them that action would be taken.
Superintendent of Police (Rural) Rakesh Kumar Mishra confirmed that a case was registered at Sarurpur police station. “Kapil was returning to his duty post in Srinagar when this incident happened. An argument at the toll booth escalated and the staff physically assaulted him. Based on the family’s complaint, a case has been filed. So far, six accused employees have been arrested, and more teams are investigating to catch others involved.”
Taking serious note of the incident, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) imposed a ₹20 lakh penalty on the toll collecting company and also debarred it from participating in future toll plaza tenders. In a statement, NHAI said it “strongly condemns such unacceptable behaviour” and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring safe and seamless travel on national highways.
The Indian Army too expressed strong disapproval, stating that no soldier should be subjected to such humiliation, especially when he is en route to perform his duty to the nation. While action has been taken against the culprits, the incident has left a scar on collective conscience — a shameful episode that should never be repeated.
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