India, Aug. 18 -- The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) on Monday imposed a Rs.20 lakh penalty on the toll-collecting agency at Bhuni Toll Plaza after its staffers tied up and thrashed an army jawan on August 17.

In a statement, NHAI said it has imposed a penalty of Rs.20 lakh on the agency, M/s Dharam Singh, and initiated the process of terminating and debarring the toll collection firm from future participation in toll plaza bids.

"#NHAI strongly condemns such behaviour by the toll plaza staff and is committed to ensuring safe and seamless travel on National Highways," the agency said.

The action against the agency, which was contracted to manage the toll plaza on the Meerut-Karnal section of NH-709A, comes after outrage ove...