Commando Shyamraj of the 21 Para Special Forces
Credit: X/@HateDetectors
Udupi: Staff at the Sasthan toll plaza issued an apology on Sunday night following allegations that an ex-serviceman was harassed over toll payment.
Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar said the ex-serviceman concerned has not filed any complaint. The toll staff involved released a video apology after the incident.
“All the staff members concerned were summoned to the police station and sensitised about appropriate conduct, particularly while dealing with ex-servicemen and serving Armed Forces personnel,” the SP said.
The issue came to light after a video of the incident went viral on social media. In the video, the ex-serviceman— Commando Shyamraj of the 21 Para Special Forces—is seen in a wheelchair, presenting documents and stating that he had passed through other toll booths without any issue.
Shyamraj, a war casualty of Operation Parakram, carried documents related to toll exemption based on his wife’s posting, along with his ex-serviceman and disability identity cards.
He alleged that Sasthan toll booth employees, identified as Suresh and Shivraj, stopped him despite the showing valid exemption papers.
In their clarification, toll staff said the incident was reported around 9 pm. “He first produced his ex-serviceman ID, but we informed him that there was no exemption. He then showed his disability ID, which was forwarded to our seniors. As there was a delay in receiving a response, the exemption was eventually granted and we apologised,” they said.
“We apologise for hurting the officer,” the staff added.