Chhattisgarh Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Rajwade has denied allegations that her personal assistant assaulted a toll plaza employee after a boom barrier fell on her convoy vehicle at Lahpatra toll plaza in Surguja district. Rajwade said the person involved was the vehicle driver and not her PA, Om Prakash Rajwade.

The incident took place late on September 2 on National Highway 130, when Rajwade's convoy was travelling from Bilaspur towards Ambikapur. A video of the altercation, reportedly recorded by CCTV cameras at the toll plaza, subsequently surfaced on social media and triggered controversy. 

Minister Says She Was Inside the Vehicle

Rajwade said she was resting inside her vehicle after a day of government programmes when the incident occurred and did not know about the altercation at the toll plaza at the time.

According to her, she learnt about the incident the following day through social media and other sources. She expressed regret over the alleged mistreatment of the toll employee and said that any technical or human error resulting in the barrier coming down could have been accidental, but misbehaviour with an employee was unacceptable. 

Rajwade Rejects Allegation Against PA

The minister specifically rejected the allegation involving her PA, saying Om Prakash Rajwade did not assault or misbehave with the toll worker.

She said the person seen in the video was the driver of the vehicle and that she had issued him a strong warning over his conduct. Rajwade also said she would meet the affected employee and enquire about his well-being.

The clarification comes after initial reports identified the person involved as the minister's PA. Some reports continued to describe the alleged assailant as a member of the minister's staff, while the minister has disputed that identification. 

What Happened at Lahpatra Toll Plaza?

According to reports, Rajwade's convoy reached the Lahpatra toll plaza at around 12:30 am on September 3. The convoy consisted of two vehicles. The first vehicle crossed the toll barrier, after which the boom came down as the second vehicle, a Fortuner carrying the minister, approached.

The barrier reportedly came into contact with the minister's vehicle, causing damage. A dispute followed at the toll plaza, during which a toll employee identified as Mahendra Rajwade was allegedly assaulted. 

The exact circumstances that led to the boom coming down have also been described differently in reports. One account attributed it to the automatic system operating after the first vehicle crossed, while other reports said the second vehicle was moving through the barrier when it descended. The precise sequence remains subject to verification. 

Toll Worker Approaches Police

Following the incident, Mahendra Rajwade approached Lakhanpur police along with other toll employees and local residents and submitted a complaint seeking action.

Reports said the employee underwent a medical examination. Local residents had also warned of a protest if action was not taken on the complaint. Later reports indicated that both sides approached the Lakhanpur police station and that police began examining the matter. 

CCTV Footage Fuels Controversy

The CCTV footage has become central to the controversy. Reports said it shows a man confronting the toll employee after the barrier incident, with the employee appearing to plead with those around him.

However, the footage alone does not establish the identity of every person involved or settle the competing claims about whether the individual was the minister's driver, PA or another member of the convoy. Police action and any further investigation will determine the facts of the case.

Minister Promises to Meet Employee

Rajwade has sought to distance herself and her PA from the alleged assault while condemning the conduct captured in the video. She said the driver had been warned and that she would personally meet the toll worker to enquire about his condition.

The controversy has meanwhile put renewed focus on the conduct of officials and members of their convoys at public facilities. The toll barrier incident and the subsequent alleged assault are separate issues, and responsibility for the damage to the vehicle as well as the alleged assault will have to be established independently.