Uttar Pradesh: Seven arrested for assaulting Army soldier at Meerut toll plaza
Seven persons have been arrested for assaulting an Indian Army soldier at a toll plaza in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut district on Sunday, said the police on Monday.
The soldier, Kapil Singh of the Army’s Rajput Regiment and a resident of Gotka village, was assaulted while travelling to the Delhi airport to return to duty in Srinagar, said Meerut Superintendent of Police (Rural) Rakesh Kumar Mishra.
He requested to be let through quickly as he had an early morning flight and showed his Army identity card. However, the toll plaza staff got into an argument with him, which soon escalated into a violent altercation, said Singh’s brother Pradeep.
Videos shared on social media show Singh being held against a pole with his hands behind his back while several persons hit him.
The National Highways Authority of India said that it has imposed a penalty of Rs 20 lakh on the toll-collecting agency. The process of terminating the agency’s contract and debarring it from future toll plaza bids has been initiated, it added.
“NHAI strongly condemns such behaviour by the toll plaza staff and is committed to ensuring safe and seamless travel on National Highways,” the body said.
The accused persons have been booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections pertaining to murder, unlawful assembly and robbery.
Police said efforts are underway to arrest others...
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