Jharkhand Andolankari approaches police to ascertain why toll tax deducted when his SUV was parked at his house

Ranchi: A leader who agitated for Jharkhand state, Prabhakar, knocked on the door of state police after Rs 30 was deducted from his bank account with the help of FASTag, suggesting that his vehicle, which was parked at his residence in Harmu Housing Colony under Argora police station area, crossed a toll plaza in West Bengal.

“…I want to draw your attention to the fact that our vehicle XXXXXXX was parked at our residence, 2K-13, Harmu Housing Colony, Ranchi, on 29.06.2025 at 9.35.24 am, but at the same time, I got a message on our mail ID, pkharmu@gmail.com, informing me that my vehicle crossed Belkuri Plaza (West Bengal) and Rs 30 was deducted as toll tax,” Prabhkar’s complaint reads.

Prabhakar confirmed the fact, saying he was taken aback as he got the message. He first thought that his vehicle was stolen and rushed to the parking area, but later heaved a sigh of relief when he found the vehicle at the specified place and started thinking about how this became possible. When he called the toll plaza manager, the manager sent CCTV footage, which was more alarming for him.

“It was Sunday when I received the message regarding the deduction of toll tax through FASTag, an electronic toll collection system in India operated by the National Highways Authority of India. It employs Radio Frequency Identification technology for making toll payments directly from the prepaid or savings account linked to it or directly to the toll owner,” he said.

“First I thought my vehicle was stolen, and those who stole my vehicle had taken it to West Bengal. I ran towards the parking area of my house. I heaved a sigh of relief when I noticed the vehicle parked at the specified place. After some time, I searched for the toll plaza manager and asked him, How come the vehicle that is parked at my house crosses the toll plaza?. In response to my query, the manager sent CCTV footage. I was astonished to watch the footage when I found the vehicle that crossed the toll plaza was just like my vehicle, and the registration number was also the same. Smelling a rat, I first informed IG (CID) Asim Vikrant Minz, and on getting his advice, I registered a complaint at Argora police station on June 30, when all of Jharkhand was celebrating Hul Diwas to remember the martyrs who sacrificed their lives fighting against the British in 1855,” Prabhakar said.

Asked whether police arrested anyone in the matter, he said police have yet to make any breakthrough in the matter.

“Police so far have not given me any information in this regard, and I am waiting for the same. When I probed at my level, I realized that I am not the first victim. Earlier an electronic media channel, NDTV, had done a detailed story on the issue.”