BJP leader accused of threatening toll manager:’I will hang you upside down’, audio clip surfaces

A major controversy has erupted in Ratlam after an audio recording surfaced allegedly showing a Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) IT cell in-charge threatening a toll plaza manager and pressuring him to allow vehicles to pass without paying fees. According to the complaint, BJYM IT cell in-charge, Shubham Gurjar, allegedly threatened Chikliya Four-Lane Toll Plaza manager Arijit Das Gupta with severe consequences, including physical violence and misuse of political influence. The audio, accessed by Dainik Bhaskar, allegedly contains repeated threats and abusive language directed at the toll staff and senior officials. Read the report Toll manager alleges pressure to allow vehicles without toll According to the complaint, Arijit Das Gupta received a phone call from Shubham Gurjar on May 18 at around 3:05 pm. The manager alleged that Gurjar aggressively pressured him to allow vehicles associated with him to pass through the toll plaza without paying any legal toll fee. When the manager attempted to explain the rules of the Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation (MPRDC), Gurjar allegedly abused him and another senior official named Sonveer from the company’s head office. The complaint further states that Gurjar threatened serious consequences and warned that he would arrive at the toll plaza within an hour. The manager said the threats created an atmosphere of fear among toll staff. “You’ll keep running to SP and TI”: Alleged conversation During the phone conversation, Gurjar allegedly accused toll staff of unnecessarily stopping vehicles and arguing with drivers. He reportedly claimed that if strict rules were enforced, he could file numerous complaints against the toll company. The audio also allegedly contains threats directed at senior officials and repeated abusive language. At one point, Gurjar allegedly stated, If Sonveer wants to fight, tell him. We’ll come there. Either run the toll properly or wrestle with us. He also allegedly threatened that local people’s land had been taken for the toll plaza and accused the management of harassing residents. Complaint mentions previous incidents In his complaint, the toll manager alleged that Shubham Gurjar had been involved in similar incidents earlier as well. According to the complaint, a previous case was registered against Gurjar at Bilpank police station on February 12, 2024. Despite having a criminal record, the complaint stated, Gurjar continued to challenge law and order openly. Allegation of revenue loss to government The toll management alleged that Gurjar routinely allowed nearly 100 outside vehicles to pass through the toll plaza daily without paying fees by using his political influence and threats. According to the complaint, this allegedly caused losses worth lakhs of rupees each day to the Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation (MPRDC). The manager claimed that whenever toll staff attempted to charge vehicles from outside districts, drivers would connect them directly with Gurjar over phone calls, after which threats were allegedly issued to the employees. Toll staff seek security protection The complaint also stated that whenever toll officials attempted to explain rules to Gurjar, he allegedly threatened to implicate them in false cases. The management warned that if any harm came to toll staff or company officials, Shubham Gurjar should be held fully responsible. Police have reportedly been provided with both the previous FIR and the latest voice recording from May 18. The complaint demands registration of a case against Gurjar under sections related to obstructing government work, criminal intimidation, abuse and causing financial loss to government revenue. Toll authorities have also requested enhanced police protection so employees can work without fear. Gurjar appointed BJYM IT cell in-charge two months ago Shubham Gurjar currently serves as the IT Cell in-charge of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha. He was appointed to the position nearly two months ago by BJYM state president Shyam Taylor. Before this role, Gurjar served as district vice-president of BJYM. Earlier CCTV footage showed toll plaza dispute In February 2024, CCTV footage from the same toll plaza had surfaced showing Gurjar allegedly threatening toll employees with a pistol and assaulting staff members. The dispute reportedly arose after an argument over vehicles passing without paying toll fees. After the video became public, then Ratlam SP Rahul Lodha ordered registration of a case against Gurjar at Bilpank police station. Following the controversy, then BJYM district president Viplav Jain — currently BJYM state general secretary — removed Gurjar from the post of district vice-president. After remaining absconding for nearly two months following the FIR, Gurjar later surrendered before a court. He was subsequently reappointed to an organisational position nearly two months ago.