By Sagaya Fernando | January 27, 2026
Udupi, Karnataka, INDIA: Staff at the Sasthan toll plaza on National Highway-66 in Udupi district have issued a public apology after a wheelchair-bound former Army officer was allegedly stopped and humiliated over toll payment, triggering widespread outrage on social media.
The incident came to light after a video shared by the ex-serviceman, Commando Shyamraj of the 21 Para Special Forces, went viral ahead of Republic Day. In the video, Shyamraj, a war casualty of Operation Parakram, is seen presenting documents and questioning why he was denied exemption despite having crossed several other toll booths without any difficulty.
Shyamraj alleged that toll booth employees, identified as Suresh and Shivraj, stopped him around 9 pm on Sunday January 25, and refused to grant him exemption even after he produced his ex-serviceman identity card, disability certificate and exemption papers related to his wife’s posting. His wife is a serving officer in the Military Nursing Service.
“I have crossed all tolls, but now I am being stopped here,” he said in the video, expressing disappointment over the treatment meted out to him. He also questioned Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari over the incident.
Responding to the controversy, toll plaza staff said the incident occurred due to confusion over document verification and a delay in receiving confirmation from senior officials.
“He gave his ex-serviceman ID. We said there was no exemption. Then he gave his disability ID. We forwarded it to our seniors, but the response was delayed. Later, we granted the exemption and apologised,” a staff member said in an apology video.
Udupi Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar said the ex-serviceman had not filed any formal complaint. He added that all staff members involved were summoned to the police station and counselled on appropriate conduct.
“They were specifically sensitised on how to deal with ex-servicemen and serving Armed Forces personnel,” the SP said.
Survivor of Landmine Blast
Commando Shyamraj is one of only two survivors of a devastating landmine blast during Operation Parakram in 2002 while returning from a counter-insurgency operation. The explosion killed 15 soldiers and left him with permanent spinal injuries after he spent 15 days in a coma and underwent multiple surgeries.
He has been wheelchair-bound since the incident.
Public Outrage and Systemic Gaps
The viral video sparked widespread condemnation, with many users highlighting the lack of sensitivity shown towards a decorated war veteran. The footage showed Shyamraj calmly but firmly explaining his entitlement to exemption, while the staff appeared dismissive.
Following police intervention, the staff released a video apologising for the inconvenience and hurt caused to the officer and the veteran community.
The incident has once again drawn attention to shortcomings in toll management across the country. Although the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has clear guidelines on toll exemptions for armed forces personnel and gallantry award winners, their implementation at privately operated toll plazas often remains inconsistent.
Experts and veterans’ groups have pointed out the absence of a digital or automated verification system, which frequently leaves ex-servicemen dependent on the discretion of ground-level staff who may lack proper training and awareness.
Authorities said steps have been taken to prevent similar incidents in the future, while renewed calls have been made for a more respectful and streamlined process for those who have served the nation.
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