Indian Army Soldier Brutally Assaulted at Meerut Toll Plaza; Six Arrested After Viral Video

A shocking video has emerged from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, showing an Indian Army soldier tied to a pole and brutally beaten by a group of men over a toll tax dispute. The incident took place at the Bhuni Toll Plaza on the Meerut-Karnal Highway and has triggered widespread outrage after the footage went viral on social media.

According to reports, the victim, Kapil—who hails from Gotka village under Sarurpur police station and is currently posted in Srinagar—was returning to duty after spending leave with his family. Kapil was traveling back after the holiday, with a flight from Delhi to Srinagar scheduled for 5:00 AM. Due to heavy traffic congestion at the toll plaza, he requested the toll staff to let him pass quickly, explaining his situation and showing his army ID card, which also identifies him as a local resident.

Despite this, the toll staff demanded the toll fee again, which led to an argument. Following the dispute, several toll workers in civilian clothes chased Kapil, tied him to a pole, and began beating him mercilessly with sticks and rods. Around 8 to 10 people participated in the assault, while bystanders remained in their vehicles and did not intervene. Kapil’s cousin Shivam was present in the car during the incident. The soldier suffered serious injuries to his nose and head.

Shortly after, a group of 10-15 villagers, along with Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) activist Abhishek Chauhan, arrived at the scene and protested, demanding immediate suspension of the accused toll employees. The growing commotion prompted the Sarhana police station’s officer-in-charge and additional police force to arrive at the spot. Both parties later filed complaints against each other at the Sarurpur police station.

According to Kapil, the toll staff even snatched his army card during the assault. Meanwhile, the toll staff allege that the army jawan attacked them first. The incident, captured on video, quickly went viral, prompting police to take swift action. Six suspects were arrested in connection with the assault following a complaint lodged by Kapil’s family.

The situation escalated further when, approximately 16 hours later, over 500 residents from Gotka and neighboring villages gathered at the toll plaza on Monday afternoon, causing extensive damage to toll booths and pelting employees with stones. Authorities responded by deploying large police contingents, including the SP (Rural), ADM, and SDM from eight police stations. Former BJP MLA Sangeet Som also reached the spot, demanding serious action and threatening jail time for the contractors behind the incident.

The police have formally registered a case based on CCTV footage and video evidence and have made multiple arrests. Still, the incident raises serious questions about public safety, the treatment of soldiers in civilian life, and law enforcement’s ability to curb such violence.

The brutality faced by an Indian army soldier in broad daylight—while passersby looked on—has shaken the nation’s conscience. The debate now centers on what punishment should be meted out to those responsible for this act. The incident sends a powerful message about the need for systemic reforms and respect for those serving the country.

If you would like to share your views on what punishment the accused should receive, please leave a comment.