In recent years, under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, incidents of attacks on armed forces personnel and the growing sense of insecurity on the roads have raised serious questions about the state of law and order in the country. The latest shocking case has emerged from Uttar Pradesh, where an Army jawan was brutally assaulted by toll plaza employees, an episode that not only tarnishes the nation’s commitment to those in uniform but also exposes a worrying pattern of indiscipline and violence in public spaces.
The incident occurred on August 17, 2025, at the Bhuni Toll Plaza located on the Meerut-Karnal Highway (NH-709A). According to reports, Army soldier Kapil Kavad, also known as Kapil Singh, was traveling with his cousin to Delhi Airport. He was on his way to Srinagar to rejoin duty after leave when the altercation broke out. Due to heavy congestion at the toll, the jawan reportedly requested the toll employees to clear the lane so that his vehicle could pass through, given the urgency of his duty obligations. Instead of addressing the matter responsibly, the staff at the plaza reacted with hostility, leading to a violent confrontation.
Eyewitness accounts and viral videos circulating on social media show Kapil being dragged, beaten, and tied to a pole with sticks and rods used to assault him. One employee was even seen attempting to strike him with a brick, intensifying the brutality of the attack. The visuals triggered nationwide outrage, as citizens expressed anger over the inhuman treatment meted out to a serving soldier who was simply performing his duty towards the nation.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has since stepped in, acknowledging the gravity of the situation and treating it as a serious breach of discipline. In a stern move, NHAI imposed a penalty of ₹20 lakh on the toll-operating company, Dharam Singh & Company, citing its failure to control its employees and maintain discipline, which amounted to a violation of contractual obligations. Furthermore, NHAI has initiated the process to terminate the company’s contract and ban it from participating in future toll tenders, signaling that such misconduct will not be tolerated.
On the law enforcement side, the local police swiftly registered an FIR and arrested six individuals involved in the assault. Authorities have assured that strict legal action will follow. However, questions remain about why such incidents are repeatedly taking place, and why a soldier in uniform—symbolizing national pride and security—was subjected to such humiliation and violence in broad daylight.
Political observers point out that despite repeated claims of “zero tolerance” towards crime, attacks of this nature suggest that offenders often act with impunity, confident that systemic loopholes and lax law enforcement will protect them. The incident also underscores the deteriorating public trust in safety along highways, which should ideally be spaces of smooth travel and security for citizens and defense personnel alike.
The episode has also triggered political ripples, with critics of the NDA government highlighting it as an example of how deteriorating law and order has emboldened anti-social behavior. The opposition has raised concerns that if soldiers, who are entrusted with guarding the nation in treacherous terrains such as Siachen and Kashmir, are not safe within the country, it raises a serious moral question about governance and accountability.
Meanwhile, NHAI reiterated its priority to ensure safe and seamless travel for commuters and condemned the behavior of the toll staff in the strongest terms. The authority’s decision to penalize the company and move towards contract termination has been welcomed, but citizens and defense groups continue to demand more systemic reforms, including tighter monitoring of toll plazas and strict background checks of personnel deployed at such sensitive facilities.
For the family of Army jawan Kapil Singh, however, the incident remains a harrowing memory. What should have been a routine journey to rejoin duty turned into a violent nightmare. The wider sentiment across India remains that the dignity and safety of the armed forces must be protected at all costs, and incidents like this demand not just temporary punishments but long-term reforms to restore faith in governance and law enforcement.
This shocking attack at Bhuni Toll Plaza has become a test case for both state and central authorities to demonstrate whether they can truly protect the dignity of India’s soldiers and curb the rising lawlessness that threatens both ordinary citizens and those who wear the uniform in service of the nation.
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