Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau.
A midnight brawl erupted at Lalpur toll plaza in Chutki Deoria of Kichha in district Udham Singh Nagar on the intervening night of April 5 and 6, allegedly involving BJP workers led by Rudrapur Block Pramukh’s husband, Vipin Jalhotra. The toll staff accused the BJP workers of forcibly breaking the boom barrier, vandalizing the toll office, and physically assaulting several toll employees.
The incident began on Saturday night at around 12:30 am when a vehicle allegedly tried to pass the toll without payment. According to toll officials, a toll worker attempted to stop the vehicle, which reportedly led to a heated argument. Soon after, supporters of Vipin Jalhotra—who was present at the scene—allegedly beat up the toll employees. Later, Jalhotra arrived with a convoy of over half a dozen vehicles and, as per the complaint, stormed into the toll office with his associates, breaking the cash room door and attacking the staff.
Anuj Tiwari, a toll worker, filed a complaint at Kichha police station against unidentified persons. CCTV footage of the scuffle has surfaced and is being reviewed by police. It shows a violent confrontation inside the toll office.
Both parties are accusing each other of initiating the violence. The police have launched an investigation. Circle Officer (CO) Police Bhupendra Singh Dhoni said, “A case of assault has come to light. The CCTV footage is being analysed, and appropriate action will be taken after investigation.”
In contrast, a BJP worker claimed the toll staff demanded double payment due to a Fastag error. “The driver requested time to park and sort the issue, but toll workers misbehaved and assaulted the passengers. Vipin Jalhotra intervened to defuse the situation, but by then both sides had suffered injuries,” he said.
