BJP Leader’s Son Caught Assaulting Toll Booth Worker in a Viral Video; No FIR Lodged

A disturbing CCTV video has surfaced online, depicting Samarthgouda Patil, son of BJP leader Vijugouda Patil, and his associates physically assaulting and verbally abusing a toll booth employee at the Kannolli toll plaza on the Vijayapura-Kalaburagi highway in Karnataka. The incident, which occurred on Thursday evening, has rapidly gained widespread attention across social media platforms, prompting public outrage and demands for immediate legal action.

According to police reports, Samarthgouda and his group were traveling from Vijayapura to Sindagi when their vehicle was stopped at the toll booth for payment. Upon being asked to pay the standard fee, Samarthgouda allegedly responded aggressively, declaring, “Do you know who I am? I am the son of BJP leader Vijugouda Patil.” When the staff member, identified as Sangappa, inquired, “Which Vijugouda?” in an apparent lack of recognition, the situation escalated dramatically. The footage clearly shows Samarthgouda and his companions exiting the vehicle, surrounding the worker, and launching a physical attack involving slaps, punches, and verbal abuse.

Sangappa, a 45-year-old toll booth operator employed at the plaza for over a decade, sustained visible injuries including facial lacerations, swelling, and possible rib fractures. He was promptly taken to Sindagi Taluk Hospital for medical treatment. Colleagues at the booth intervened swiftly to restrain the assailants and prevent further harm, an action that likely averted a more severe outcome. The victim has since recounted the ordeal, stating that he was merely performing his routine duties and had no prior interaction with the individuals involved.

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Vijugouda Patil, a senior BJP figure and repeated candidate for the Baleshwar assembly constituency, has not issued a public statement regarding his son’s actions. The incident has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders and civil society, who have condemned it as a blatant display of political privilege and misuse of influence. Local Congress leaders have demanded the immediate suspension of Samarthgouda from any party-affiliated activities and a thorough, impartial investigation unhindered by political pressure.

As of now, no formal First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged by the toll booth management or the victim. However, Vijayapura police have initiated a preliminary inquiry based on the viral video and are examining the footage frame by frame. A senior officer confirmed that statements from witnesses and booth personnel are being recorded, and appropriate legal sections—including those related to assault, criminal intimidation, and public mischief—may be invoked once the investigation advances. The absence of an official complaint has raised concerns about potential external influence, though authorities have assured transparency in the process.

The Kannolli toll plaza, operated under a public-private partnership and servicing thousands of vehicles daily, has become the focal point of a larger debate on workplace safety for frontline workers and the accountability of those in positions of power. Labor unions representing toll employees across Karnataka have announced plans to stage demonstrations if swift justice is not delivered, emphasizing that no individual—regardless of political lineage—should be above the law.

This incident underscores a troubling pattern of entitlement associated with political families and has intensified scrutiny on the BJP’s internal discipline mechanisms. As the investigation unfolds, the nation watches closely to see whether legal accountability will prevail over political protection in a case that has exposed raw vulnerabilities in India’s social and institutional framework.

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