If you think you can get away with bullying travelers on the highway, think again. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has sent a massive message by firing the agency running the Bara Fee Toll Plaza in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh. This decisive move comes after a shocking video of toll staff assaulting an advocate went viral, proving that rudeness and violence come with a very heavy price tag.
The Fastag Dispute That Turned Violent
The incident that triggered this crackdown occurred on January 14, 2026. Advocate Ratnesh Kumar Shukla, a legal practitioner at the Allahabad High Court, was driving towards Lucknow on the Lucknow-Sultanpur stretch (NH-731) with fellow lawyers. What should have been a routine stop at the toll plaza quickly turned into a nightmare.
According to reports, a dispute over a Fastag balance escalated rapidly. Instead of resolving the issue professionally, toll staff allegedly dragged the occupants out of the car. The situation turned ugly as the staff reportedly assaulted the advocate with sticks and even snatched a gold ring. The brutality didn’t stay hidden for long—video footage of the chaos spread like wildfire across social media, sparking outrage among the public and the legal community.
NHAI Cracks the Whip: ₹5.3 Crore Forfeited
NHAI didn’t waste time with long deliberations; they took immediate, punitive action. The authority has terminated the contract of the user fee collection agency, M/s Skylark Infra Engineering Pvt Ltd, effective immediately. They cited the incident as a grave violation of contract terms, which mandate that staff must be courteous and disciplined.
The punishment hits the agency where it hurts the most—their finances and future business:
- Contract Termination: The agency has been removed from the toll plaza immediately.
- Financial Penalty: NHAI has started the process to forfeit the bank guarantee and performance security, totaling a massive ₹5.3 crore.
- Blacklisting: The agency has been barred from participating in any NHAI tenders for the next year.
In their statement, NHAI emphasized a “zero-tolerance” policy, stating clearly that violence or misbehavior against national highway users will simply not be tolerated.
Lawyers Protest and Police Action Follows
The assault on a legal professional naturally led to a severe backlash on the ground. By Friday, January 16, angry lawyers gathered at the toll plaza in protest. The situation remained tense as boom barriers were broken, and the toll was forced to run free for several hours. The legal fraternity demanded strict charges, including the Gangster Act/NSA, against the aggressive staff.
Local law enforcement has stepped in to restore order and ensure justice. The police have arrested five individuals so far, including the toll manager, Jagbhan Singh. Superintendent of Police Arpit Vijayvargiya confirmed that the situation is under control and that police teams are actively hunting for other suspects involved in the brawl.
This incident serves as a stern warning to toll operators across the country: professionalism is not optional. With the contract canceled and legal action underway, the message from the top is clear—highway users deserve respect, not road rage.
Last Updated: 18 January 2026
