An incident in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut has shocked the nation, after an Army jawan was pinned to a pole and mercilessly beaten by toll booth staff. The shocking act of violence was caught on camera, sparking widespread anger and condemnation. Authorities have confirmed that four toll booth employees have been arrested following the circulation of the disturbing video online.

The soldier, identified as Kapil Kavad of the Rajput Regiment, had been on a short holiday at his village. He was travelling with his cousin, on his way to Delhi airport, to catch a flight that would take him back to his posting in Srinagar. On the way, their vehicle got stuck in the long queues at Bhuni Toll Plaza. Anxious about being late for his flight, Kapil stepped out to speak with the toll booth staff.

What began as a discussion soon spiraled into violence. At least five toll employees attacked Kapil and his cousin. A viral video shows the soldier being brutally beaten with sticks, before being pinned against a pole with his arms pulled back. One of the attackers can be seen hurling abuses while striking the uniformed jawan. The images have left people stunned — that a soldier, who risks his life on the frontlines, was subjected to such humiliation on home soil.

Meerut’s Superintendent of Police (Rural), Rakesh Kumar Mishra, confirmed legal action has been taken. He said, "Kapil is in the Indian Army. He was returning to his post. There was a long queue at the Bhuni toll booth. He was in a hurry and he spoke to the toll booth staff. An argument began and the toll booth staff assaulted him. Following a complaint from his family, a case was registered at Sarurpur police station."

The officer further added, "Four accused have been arrested after scanning CCTV footage and videos. Two more teams are working to arrest the other accused."

According to local reports, the altercation escalated when Kapil told the toll workers that his village fell under an area exempted from toll charges. Instead of resolving the issue, the argument snowballed into physical violence, ending in the shameful assault of the soldier.

The incident has triggered national outrage. Citizens are asking, is this the respect our soldiers deserve? The same men who protect the borders from enemies are being degraded in their own country. Now, as people question the seriousness of the authorities, one demand rings loud — justice for the soldier.

The anger is not confined to social media. On Monday, hundreds of villagers stormed Bhuni Toll Plaza, smashing booths and uprooting barriers, in retaliation for what they called an “insult to the Army.” Eyewitnesses said the mob confronted toll staff directly, chanting slogans against the attack. Villagers also pointed out that Kapil had just returned home after participating in Operation Sindoor, making the incident even more painful for the community.

Video evidence from the site shows toll employees restraining Kapil against a pole and repeatedly striking him, despite his uniformed identity being known. The footage has intensified demands for strict punishment, with people insisting that no leniency be shown to those responsible.

The Meerut toll booth incident is no longer just a local issue — it has turned into a national debate about the safety, dignity, and respect of Indian soldiers. The people stand with the jawan, and pressure is now mounting on both the police and the government to ensure that justice is swift and uncompromising.

A Nation’s Outrage – SpiceJet’s Assault on a Soldier Echoes in Kapil Kavad’s Humiliation

The recent assault on Army jawan Kapil Kavad at a Meerut toll plaza has stirred painful memories of an earlier incident that exposed the mistreatment of India’s soldiers. On July 26, 2024, Lieutenant Colonel Ritesh Kumar Singh, a respected officer posted at the High Altitude Warfare School in Gulmarg, was brutally provoked and attacked by SpiceJet staff at Srinagar International Airport. This shameful episode, followed by the recent violence against Kapil Kavad, lays bare a disturbing trend: “Is this the respect our soldiers deserve? The same men who risk their lives against enemies at the border are being humiliated in their own country.” The nation stands united in condemning SpiceJet’s egregious misconduct, demanding justice for Lt Col Singh and reflecting on the broader betrayal of those who serve.

Lt Col Singh, traveling on urgent family leave with only a cleared cabin bag, was subjected to unprovoked aggression by SpiceJet employees at Boarding Gate No. 2. CCTV footage, widely circulated on X, exposes the airline’s staff in a damning light: “four @flyspicejet staffers shoving, punching, and threatening a serving Colonel before he throws a single blow,” as stated by @IndianArmyinJK, directly contradicting SpiceJet’s false narrative of an unprovoked assault by the officer. The video shows four employees ganging up on Singh, shoving him, pinning him down, and landing punches while hurling abuses, all while he was in a vulnerable state, rushing to address a family emergency. “We all owe Lt Col an apology. The new video shatters the lies spread by SpiceJet. The armyman was 1st attacked by SpiceJet officials 2 times before the officer retaliated,” wrote @RadharamnDas on X, encapsulating the public’s anger over the airline’s attempt to distort the truth.

SpiceJet’s wrongdoings are manifold and indefensible. First, their staff initiated physical violence, transforming a routine security check into a violent confrontation without justification. The officer’s attempt to board his flight was met with aggression, not professionalism, as the employees disregarded his status as a serving soldier and the urgency of his travel. Second, SpiceJet’s claim that Singh violated baggage rules by carrying 16 kg of luggage was a deliberate misrepresentation, as reports confirm he carried only a cleared cabin bag, a fact conveniently omitted to shift blame. Third, the airline’s public statement falsely portrayed Singh as the aggressor, alleging injuries to two staff members while downplaying the officer’s own documented injuries, including bruises and trauma to his arms and torso. This attempt to tarnish a soldier’s reputation sparked the #BoycottSpiceJet campaign, with veterans and civilians alike condemning the airline’s lack of accountability. “The airline’s claim of an ‘unprovoked assault’ collapses in one,” noted an X post, highlighting SpiceJet’s deceitful narrative.

The incident led to FIRs from both sides, with Jammu and Kashmir Police investigating under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. While SpiceJet claimed their staff acted in self-defense, the CCTV evidence and public sentiment overwhelmingly support Lt Col Singh, who was forced to defend himself against a coordinated attack. The airline’s failure to train its staff in de-escalation and respect for passengers, especially military personnel, has drawn sharp criticism, with calls for stricter oversight from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The #BoycottSpiceJet movement, fueled by posts on X and supported by veterans’ groups, continues to demand accountability, with users describing the airline’s actions as a betrayal of national heroes.

As the nation grapples with the recent assault on Kapil Kavad, the Srinagar incident serves as a stark reminder of systemic failures in respecting those who protect the country. “Now the nation asks — Will the government and authorities take strict action against such brutality? The people stand with the soldier and demand justice!” The pain of seeing soldiers like Lt Col Singh and Kapil Kavad humiliated underscores a broader call for change, ensuring that those who serve are treated with the dignity they deserve.