6 arrested for assault on Army jawan at in Meerut toll plaza, NHAI says Rs 20 lakh fine imposed on toll operator

MEERTU: Six people have been arrested in Meerut following the assault of an Indian Army personnel at the Bhuni toll plaza on the Meerut-Karnal section of NH-709A, officials said.

Meerut Rural SP Rakesh Kumar Mishra said that the soldier, identified as Kapil, was returning after completing his leave and had a flight to catch. “A person named Kapil is serving in the Indian Army. He was returning after completing his leave and he had a flight to catch. There was a line of vehicles at the Bhuni toll plaza and he spoke to the toll workers to pass through quickly”, Mishra said.

One Day We Hail Our Soldiers, The Next We Let Them Beaten, Is This the Gratitude They Deserve?

Dear Fellow Indians,

It pains me deeply to share that our brother-in-arms, Army Jawan Kapil, was brutally beaten by goons at a toll plaza in Meerut, UP. His only mistake was standing… pic.twitter.com/ecxPrlZY7C

— Lt Colonel Vikas Gurjar (@Ltcolonelvikas) August 18, 2025

Kapil Singh, who was returning to his duty in Srinagar after completing his leave, requested the toll staff to let him pass quickly as he had a flight to catch. However, this request led to an argument, and the toll staff allegedly tied him to a pole and beat him with rods.

The SP added, “During this, an argument broke out, and the toll workers beat him up. Six people have been arrested in the case. One or two more individuals seen in the video will also be arrested soon”.

#WATCH | Meerut, UP | Brother of the Indian Army jawan Kapil Singh who was assaulted last night, Pradeep says, “As we reached Bhuni toll plaza, there was a fight going on and my brother requested to be let him pass as he had to catch a flight. They snatched his ID card and tied… https://t.co/ct8QLOGDZP pic.twitter.com/7iKhxPKXG3

— ANI (@ANI) August 18, 2025

Meerut locals staged a protest on the road demanding strict action against those responsible for assaulting the soldier. Meanwhile, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has stated that a Rs 20 lakh fine has been imposed on the toll collecting agency for the misbehaviour.

“NHAI has taken strict action on the incident of misbehaviour with army personnel by toll staff deployed at Bhuni Toll Plaza on Meerut-Karnal section of NH-709A on 17th August 2025. NHAI has imposed a penalty of Rs 20 lakhs on the toll collecting agency, M/s Dharam Singh and has initiated the process of terminating and debarring the toll collection firm from future participation in toll plaza bids”, NHAI posted on X.

NHAI has taken strict action on the incident of misbehaviour with army personnel by toll staff deployed at Bhuni Toll Plaza on Meerut-Karnal section of NH-709A on 17th August 2025. NHAI has imposed a penalty of Rs. 20 lakhs on the toll collecting agency, M/s Dharam Singh and has… pic.twitter.com/wpL2rN6Lug

— NHAI (@NHAI_Official) August 18, 2025

Kapil Singh’s father Krishan Pal has demanded strict action against the perpetrators, while his brother, Pradeep, alleged that around 10-12 people were involved in the assault.

Krishan Pal, said, “He had completed his leave and we were on our way to drop him at the Delhi Airport. When we reached the Bhuni toll plaza, he requested them to let him pass, as he had to catch his flight…They threw away his army card…They tied him to a pole and started beating him…Strict action should be taken.”

Kapil Singh’s brother, Pradeep, added that the assault involved 10-12 people who used rods to beat the jawan. “As we reached Bhuni toll plaza, there was a fight going on, and my brother requested to be let through as he had to catch a flight. They snatched his ID card, tied his hands to a pole, and beat him up… They beat my brother with rods… 10-12 people beat him up,” he said.

The Indian Army’s Central Command strongly condemned the incident, stating that they will pursue the case to its logical conclusion. The Uttar Pradesh police have registered an FIR under sections for attempt to murder, unlawful assembly, and robbery.

In a post on X, they said, “Indian Army strongly condemns such an incident against a serving soldier. The highest authorities of Uttar Pradesh Police have been approached to bring the guilty to book. FIR has since been lodged under BNS for attempt to Murder, unlawful assembly and Robbery. Six arrests have been made by the Police so far. A protest has also been registered with NHAI regarding the incident, seeking departmental action against the culprits and measures to prevent any recurrence. Indian Army remains committed to ensuring justice and will pursue the case to its logical conclusion”.

The police are investigating the incident, and further arrests are expected based on video evidence. The NHAI has also taken swift action, condemning the behaviour of the toll plaza staff and ensuring safe and seamless travel on national highways.

SSP Vipin Tanda confirmed the incident, stating, ”On Monday night, a video was received in which some people were beating up a person. When the police investigated, it was found that the complainant was a jawan who was returning from his duty, and he had an argument with the toll workers over something. The toll workers beat him up. Seeing the seriousness of the matter, a case has been registered. On the basis of the video, 6 people have been arrested”. (ANI)