Udupi: Retired soldier insulted at Sasthan toll plaza; video goes viral

Udupi: Retired soldier insulted at Sasthan toll plaza; video goes viral

Mangalore Today News Network

Kota, Jan 26, 2026: An incident involving the alleged insult of a retired soldier at the Sasthan Toll Plaza on Sunday night, the eve of Republic Day, has been reported. A video recorded by the soldier regarding the incident has gone viral on social media.

The retired soldier has been identified as Shyamaraj from Kasaragod district, a former paratrooper of the 21st Para Special Forces (E.V.). While he was passing through the Sasthan toll plaza, toll staff reportedly refused to grant him a toll exemption, even though he possessed an official letter granting toll exemption.

Shyamaraj’s wife is also serving in the military nursing service, and the couple was traveling via Sasthan in connection with her posting.

Shyamaraj himself recorded a video and posted it on social media, alleging that although toll exemption is provided at toll plazas across the country, it was denied at the Sasthan toll plaza. He stated that despite showing the toll exemption letter issued by the concerned RMA, the toll staff refused to honor it.

As the video went viral, there was widespread outrage over the humiliation of a retired soldier on Republic Day. It is later reported that the toll plaza staff realized their mistake and apologized to Shyamaraj.

Shyamaraj is a survivor of a major incident during Operation Parakram. While returning after a successful operation against terrorists, the vehicle he was traveling in ran over landmines, triggering an explosion that severely damaged the vehicle. In the incident, 15 soldiers were martyred, and only two survived, one of them being Shyamaraj. He remained in a coma for 15 days and later recovered, but due to severe spinal injuries, he has been rendered permanently disabled.