Car drags away toll plaza employee on Kollam bypass, suspect nabbed

Anjalumoodu (Kollam): A toll plaza employee sustained severe injuries after a car driver dragged him along with the moving vehicle and pushed him onto the road for stopping the car from crossing the toll without paying the fee.

Police have taken Varkala native Lanjith into custody for assaulting the toll plaza staffer. Lanjith, who was driving the car, was nabbed by the cops on Friday. His friend, a lawyer, was taken into custody earlier. 

The injured man, Kureeppuzha Plavarakkavu Theril Thekkethil Arun, 23, a contract staffer with Kureeppuzha toll plaza on Kollam Bypass road, has been admitted to a private hospital here.

The incident happened at 2.40 pm on Thursday. The car, registered in the name of a woman from Parippally, heading towards Mevaram from the Kavanad side tried to pass through the emergency gate without paying the toll. Seeing this, Arun, who was on duty then, tried to stop the vehicle.

There were two youths in the car. When Arun stopped the car and told them to pay the toll fee, the duo assaulted Arun. As he tried to defend himself, the driver stepped on the pedal, holding Arun by his neck. 

After dragging him along for about 30 metres, holding him to the driver's side of the vehicle, Lanjith pushed Arun onto the road and sped from the scene.

Arun sustained severe injuries to his leg and hands. He was taken to the private hospital by his colleagues.