Toll Plaza Tension in Udupi: Men Attempt Assault Over Vehicle Delay
Tension briefly gripped the Sasthan Toll Plaza located in the Kota locality of Udupi after a group of three men allegedly abused toll staff and attempted to assault them following a dispute over a delay in clearing their vehicle. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday evening, has led to police intervention and the registration of a formal case.
Details of the Alleged Assault and Abuse
According to the complaint filed by Yogeesh Kumar, the 42-year-old assistant manager of the toll plaza, the incident unfolded around 8 PM while he was on duty. A bus traveling from Udupi to Kundapur was in the process of paying the toll fee when a car with three occupants arrived behind it. One of the car's occupants, identified as Venkatesh Prasad, exited the vehicle and confronted the toll staff.
Venkatesh Prasad reportedly questioned the delay in allowing the car to pass, kicked the toll barrier, and verbally abused the staff using foul language. He also allegedly pushed the staff members, escalating the situation further.
Escalation to Attempted Assault with Iron Rod
The complaint further details that another occupant of the car, identified as Vinayak, took out an iron rod and attempted to assault the toll staff. Despite knowing that such an attack could be fatal, Vinayak proceeded with the aggressive action, putting the staff at serious risk. Fortunately, the toll staff managed to escape and avoided sustaining any serious injuries during the altercation.
Yogeesh Kumar intervened promptly to restrain the accused individuals, while the third occupant, identified as Dhanush, drove the car away from the spot, leaving the scene of the incident.
Police Response and Legal Action
Based on the formal complaint lodged by Yogeesh Kumar, the Kota police have registered a case under specific sections of the law. The charges include sections 115(2), 352, and 110 read with 3(5) of the BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita), addressing the alleged assault, abuse, and threatening behavior.
This incident highlights the challenges faced by toll plaza staff and the potential for disputes to escalate into violent confrontations. Authorities are investigating the matter to ensure appropriate legal action is taken against the accused individuals.
