Wheelchair-bound soldier harassed at Karnataka toll plaza; viral video prompts apology

UDUPI: Staff at the Sasthan toll plaza issued an apology following allegations that an ex-serviceman was harassed over toll payment on Sunday night.

SP Hariram Shankar said that the ex-serviceman involved has not pressed any charges. The toll staff concerned released an apology video. "All staff members involved were summoned to the police station and sensitised on appropriate conduct, especially while dealing with ex-servicemen and serving Armed Forces personnel," the SP said.


The issue came to light after a video went viral on social media. In the video, the ex-serviceman, identified as Commando Shyamraj of the 21 Para Special Forces, in a wheelchair, is seen presenting documents stating that he passed through other toll booths without any issue.

He carried the certificate of exemption regarding his wife's posting. He is a war casualty in Operation Parakram. He claimed that Sasthan toll booth employees Suresh and Shivraj stopped him despite him producing exemption papers. In the video, Shyamraj is also heard questioning Union minister Nitin Gadkari over the incident.

The toll staff said that the incident was reported at around 9pm. "He gave his ex-serviceman ID. We said that there is no exemption, He gave the disability ID. We gave it to our seniors, but the response was delayed. Later we gave an exemption and apologised. We apologise for hurting the officer," the toll staff said.