Kota, January 27, 2026: A delegation of ex-servicemen and local residents submitted a memorandum to Kota Police Station demanding strict legal action against Saastana Toll Plaza staff for publicly insulting and denying toll exemption to a disabled retired soldier from the 21 Para Commando unit.
The complainant, Shyamaraj from Kasaragod district, a veteran who survived a landmine blast during Operation Parakram (which killed 15 soldiers), was travelling with his wife (a serving military nurse) for a posting transfer. Despite presenting the official RMF (Retired Military Family) exemption letter, toll personnel allegedly refused free passage, spoke disrespectfully, and humiliated him in front of the public.
The ex-servicemen’s association condemned the incident as an insult to the nation and tantamount to treason against those who sacrificed for the country. The memorandum named Saastana Toll Project Authority officials Abdul Javeed, Jagan Mohan Reddy, Toll Manager Babu, Timmayya, and staff Suresh and Shivanag for disciplinary action.
Kota Police accepted the memorandum. Udupi DYSP Prabhu D.T. assured that notices would be issued to the concerned toll staff for inquiry and appropriate legal action would follow. Kota Police SI Praveen Kumar R. and Mantesh Jabagouda were present during the submission.
The delegation included ex-servicemen Keshav Malpe, Chandra Amin, Ashok, Suresh, Highway Protest Committee members Shyam Sundar Nayir, Vithal Poojari, Pratap Shetty, Dinesh Ganiga, Nagaraj Ganiga, Ravindra Tingalaya, Ratnakar Barikere, and Kota Keertish Poojari, among others.
The viral video of the incident has sparked widespread outrage, with calls for immediate enforcement of the national toll exemption policy for ex-servicemen and sensitivity training for toll staff.
