The Indian Army has strongly condemned the assault of a jawan who was pinned to a pole and beaten at a toll booth in Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh.
The incident took place late on Sunday when the soldier, Kapil Kavad of the Rajput Regiment, was on his way to Delhi airport to catch a flight to Srinagar, where he is currently posted. Kavad had come to his hometown on leave.
On the way to Delhi, Kavad and his cousin were caught in a traffic jam at Bhuni toll booth. When they tried to reason with the toll staff, an altercation broke out.
Kavad was pinned to a pole and thrashed by the toll workers. A video of the incident has since gone viral on social media.
In a statement issued on X, the Surya Command said: “On 17 August 2025, at around 2000 hrs, at Bhuni toll plaza, Meerut, a soldier posted in Srinagar, while returning to duty, was beaten by workers of the toll plaza.”
The Army post added: “#IndianArmy strongly condemns such an incident against a serving soldier. The highest authorities of #UttarPradesh Police have been approached to bring the guilty to book. An FIR has been lodged under the 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 to take departmental action against the culprits and institute measures to prevent any recurrence. #IndianArmy remains committed to ensuring justice and will pursue the case to its logical conclusion.”