The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has sent a loud and clear message to toll operators across the country: bullying commuters will cost you your business. In a swift response to a viral incident involving the assault of an advocate at the Bara Fee (Gatauna) Toll Plaza in Barabanki, the NHAI has cracked the whip. The authority has not only terminated the contract of the agency responsible but has also initiated the seizure of a massive ₹5.3 crore bank guarantee, setting a stern precedent for highway safety and etiquette.
A Dispute Turned Ugly: What Happened on NH-731?
The controversy erupted on January 14, 2026, on the Lucknow-Sultanpur stretch (NH-731). Advocate Ratnesh Kumar Shukla, associated with the Allahabad High Court, was traveling to Lucknow with three colleagues when they were stopped at the toll plaza. What began as a minor dispute over a Fastag balance quickly escalated into violence.
According to reports, toll staff, including hired bouncers, allegedly assaulted the lawyers. The situation turned chaotic as Shukla was beaten, his gold ring was reportedly snatched, and his colleagues sustained injuries. A video of the altercation surfaced on social media, sparking widespread outrage among the legal community and the general public. The intensity of the situation was such that agitated lawyers later gathered at the plaza, resulting in temporary unrest where boom barriers were broken.
The Crackdown: Contract Scrapped and Millions Forfeited
Taking a “zero-tolerance” stance on the hooliganism, NHAI acted decisively against the user fee collection agency, M/s Skylark Infra Engineering Pvt Ltd. The authority announced the immediate termination of the agency’s contract for the Bara Fee Toll Plaza.
But the punishment didn’t stop at cancellation. To ensure the message hit home, NHAI initiated the forfeiture of the agency’s Performance Security/Bank Guarantee worth ₹5.3 crore. furthermore, the agency has been blacklisted—barred from participating in any NHAI tenders for a period of one year. In an official statement, the NHAI emphasized that the contract explicitly mandates courteous and disciplined behavior from staff. They noted that the incident reflected “agency negligence, weak supervision, and a violation of contractual obligations.”
Police Action and Legal Fallout
While NHAI handled the administrative blow, local law enforcement has been equally active. Following the intervention of Barabanki District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi and SP Arpit Vijayvargiya, the police launched a crackdown on the toll staff involved in the brawl.
So far, five individuals, including the toll manager Jagbhan Singh, have been arrested. A case has been registered against 15 staff members in total, and police teams are actively searching for the remaining suspects. The quick coordination between the administration and NHAI has been aimed at de-escalating the tension, especially given the strong reaction from the lawyer community who had demanded immediate justice.
The Bottom Line: This incident serves as a massive wake-up call for toll plaza operators nationwide. The NHAI has made it clear that the dignity and safety of national highway users are non-negotiable, and any form of violence will be met with the harshest possible financial and legal consequences.
Last Updated: 17 January 2026
