NHAI fined Rs 17,000 for wrongly charging Rs 40 toll tax from disabled woman

The complainant, Geeta, a resident of Sector 27, Chandigarh, stated in her petition that she had purchased a brand-new car under the Divyangjan scheme.

3 min readChandigarhFeb 1, 2025 07:40 AM IST

Geeta said that on April 28, 2024, while traveling with her family to Kasauli (Himachal Pradesh), she was not charged any toll. However, on her return journey to Chandigarh, she was stopped at the Chandimandir Toll Plaza

Himachal Pradesh earns Rs 171.48 crore from auction of 11 state toll barriers across seven districts in FY 2025-26, with entry tax collected from outstation and heavy-load vehicles. (Representational Image, Express Archives)

The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission of Chandigarh has penalised the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for wrongly charging Rs 40 in toll tax and allegedly humiliating an orthopaedically disabled woman at the Chandimandir Toll Plaza. The Commission has directed NHAI to pay Rs 17,000 to the complainant.

The complainant, Geeta, a resident of Sector 27, Chandigarh, stated in her petition that she had purchased a brand-new car under the Divyangjan scheme. As per government policy, “adapted vehicle” was marked on the car’s registration certificate (RC), which exempted it from toll tax.

Geeta said that on April 28, 2024, while traveling with her family to Kasauli (Himachal Pradesh), she was not charged any toll. However, on her return journey to Chandigarh, she was stopped at the Chandimandir Toll Plaza. Despite showing her RC, the toll staff allegedly demanded a medical certificate or asked her to step out of the car and walk in front of them.

Her counsel argued that despite her vehicle being in the toll-exempt lane, NHAI forcibly deducted Rs 40 from her FASTag account on April 28, 2024. She immediately called NHAI’s customer care and lodged a complaint about the unlawful deduction and the alleged misbehaviour by the toll staff. However, she claimed that her complaint was closed without any redressal. She also sent an email on April 29, 2024, but received no response.

Despite being served notice, NHAI did not appear before the Chandigarh Consumer Commission, and on August 16, 2024, the case proceeded ex-parte.

After reviewing the documents, the Commission ruled that Geeta had registered her vehicle in compliance with all requirements and was entitled to toll exemption under government guidelines. “There was no reason to charge any toll tax from the complainant,” it stated.

The Commission also pointed out that if her vehicle was exempted from toll on her way to Kasauli, there was no justification for charging her Rs 40 on the return journey the same day.

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The bench of Surjeet Kaur (Presiding Member) and Brij Mohan Sharma (Member) noted, “The complainant has narrated in detail her tale of woes and the agony and embarrassment suffered at the toll plaza. When the Government of India, with a view to assisting persons with disabilities, provides various benefits and incentives, the toll staff’s actions—charging toll in violation of guidelines—are not only illegal but also amount to gross deficiency in service and unfair trade practice.”

The Commission directed NHAI to refund Rs 40 to the complainant, pay Rs 10,000 as compensation, and Rs 7,000 as litigation costs.

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula). Professional Background Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases. Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region. Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns: 1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts "12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013. "‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case. "Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification. 2. Investigative & Scams "CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus. "Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh. 3. Environment & Public Safety "Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities. "Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos. 4. Gangster Culture & Crime "City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules. "Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26. Signature Style Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More

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