Truck Driver's Refusal to Pay Toll Sparks Violence at Mangaluru Plaza
In a brazen act of violence, two employees of the Brahmarakootlu toll plaza in Bantwal were assaulted and the toll gate was damaged after a truck driver refused to pay the mandatory fee. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, escalated quickly, leading to the arrest of the truck driver and his cleaner by the Bantwal Town police.
Sequence of Events: From Refusal to Physical Assault
The altercation began when a truck, arriving from the wrong side of the road, approached the toll plaza. Prashanth B, a 25-year-old resident of Mulleria in Kasaragod who was the toll in-charge on duty, stated in his complaint that when the staff asked the driver to pay the toll, he flatly refused. Instead of complying, the driver allegedly drove forward, causing damage to the toll gate infrastructure.
The situation turned uglier when the truck driver, later identified as Bharat (23), and another accused, allegedly began abusing and physically assaulting two toll employees named Ankit and Rohit. Not content with the initial attack, the accused reportedly left the scene only to return shortly with two more individuals in a pickup vehicle. This group then illegally entered the restricted toll booth area and launched a second assault on the same staff members.
Police Action and Legal Repercussions
Acting swiftly on the formal complaint filed by Prashanth, the Bantwal Town police registered a comprehensive case. The charges have been framed under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 329(3), 351(2), 352, 115(2), 118(1), and 324(2) read with 3(5). These sections typically pertain to voluntarily causing hurt, assault, criminal force, and acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention.
The police investigation led to the custody of the two primary accused. Bharat, the 23-year-old truck driver, and Tejas (26), the cleaner, both natives of Chikkamagaluru, were taken into custody. Their arrest underscores a firm response from the authorities against attacks on public infrastructure workers.
Broader Implications for Toll Operations
This violent episode at the Brahmarakootlu toll gate highlights the ongoing challenges and risks faced by toll collection staff across the country. Such incidents of aggression not only endanger the safety of employees but also disrupt essential services and cause financial loss due to property damage. The police's decisive action in this case sends a clear message that violence against public servants and damage to government property will be met with strict legal consequences. It also raises questions about the need for enhanced security measures at sensitive points like toll plazas, especially during late-night hours.
