Protesters vandalise toll plaza in Kerala over ''rule violations''
Kasaragod (Kerala) (PTI) Tension prevailed at a village on National Highway 66 as a large crowd vandalised a newly established toll plaza late Wednesday night.
The incident occurred amid ongoing protests against the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for allegedly violating distance norms, police said here.
The toll gate, located on the Kasaragod–Talapadi stretch, began operations last Monday under heavy police protection.
However, locals and an Action Committee, led by AKM Ashraf MLA, have been staging an indefinite protest at the site since Tuesday.
They argue that the toll plaza is located only 22 km away from the Talapadi plaza, allegedly contradicting Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s reported assurance that toll booths would maintain a minimum distance of 60 km.
The situation turned volatile around 8.30 pm, when a section of the crowd gathered at the protest site attacked the booths.
Protesters allegedly smashed glass panels and damaged CCTV cameras.
Although a large police contingent was present, the sudden unrest led to a brief traffic snarl on the highway.
The violence followed a failed mediation talk convened by the District Collector, which included NHAI officials and local MLAs.
Kumbla Police said they are investigating the case.
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Udupi: Woman, bank employee arrested in property tax fraud case
Udupi: Udupi City Police have arrested two persons, including a woman, in connection with the alleged misappropriation of property tax funds belonging to the Udupi Municipal Council.
The accused have been identified as Shalini, who was working as a tax consultant outside the municipal office, and Ganesh, a bank employee.
According to police, Anand Suvarna had paid Rs 34,730 towards 12 years of property tax for his building in Kalmadi to Shalini on October 16, 2025. She reportedly issued him a receipt acknowledging the payment.
However, when Suvarna recently checked the status of the payment on the property tax portal, he found that the amount had not been credited and was still shown as pending. He then brought the matter to the notice of the Municipal Commissioner, who verified that the payment had not been recorded.
During questioning, Shalini allegedly admitted to the lapse. On February 16, 2026, she generated a new challan in Suvarna’s name and paid Rs 35,213 towards the dues.
Police said a case has been registered at the Udupi City Police Station against the accused for allegedly misappropriating tax money and defrauding the government by affixing the seal of Union Bank on the challan without remitting the amount initially received from the taxpayer.
Further investigation is under way.
