'FASTag scam alert': Munnabhai actor Ashwin Mushran alleges Rs 200 penalty despite Rs 3000 balance, shares what drivers should do next

A routine drive across Mumbai's Bandra-Worli Sea Link turned into an unexpected ordeal for actor Ashwin Mushran, who recently took to Instagram to share what he described as a troubling FASTag-related experience.

The actor, known for films such as Lage Raho Munna Bhai, Life in a... Metro and Fashion, alleged that he was incorrectly charged a toll penalty despite the vehicle having enough balance in its FASTag account.

In a video posted on Instagram, Mushran recounted the incident and urged motorists to pay closer attention to their FASTag transactions before crossing toll plazas.

What Happened To Ashwin Mushran At The Bandra-Worli Sea Link Toll?

According to the actor, he was travelling from Bandra towards South Mumbai in his sister's car when a toll booth operator informed him that the FASTag account linked to the vehicle did not have sufficient balance.

Mushran said he paid a Rs 200 penalty at the time but later decided to verify the claim.

On his return journey, the same vehicle reportedly crossed the toll plaza without any issue.

He further claimed that his sister was with him during the return trip and that they had records showing nearly Rs 3,000 in the FASTag account earlier that day.

Why Did The Actor Question The Toll Penalty?

In the video, Mushran said toll officials informed him that the matter would require an investigation.

This, according to the actor, raised a key question for him: if the issue required verification, why was the penalty collected immediately?

He said that after showing proof of the available FASTag balance to the same booth operator, the matter was escalated to a supervisor, who eventually refunded the Rs 200.

In the caption accompanying the post, Mushran argued that while Rs 200 may appear to be a small amount, repeated incidents involving multiple vehicles could add up significantly over time.

What Advice Did Ashwin Mushran Give To Drivers?

The actor urged motorists not to ignore such situations and encouraged them to verify their FASTag balance before reaching toll booths.

“Always check your FASTag balance before a toll. Screenshot it,” he wrote.

He also advised drivers not to make additional payments without seeking physical verification from toll office staff if they believe there is a discrepancy. And asks them to call this number '70395 86803'.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ashwin Mushran (@ashwinmushran)

How Did Social Media Users React?

The incident quickly gained traction online, with many users sharing their own views and experiences in the comments section.

One user attempted to calculate the potential impact of similar incidents, writing, “As per data 90,000 cars pass each day on the sea link.. a mere 200 rs means ..1.8cr.”

Another commented, “200 is not a small amount. It is huge when multiplied.”

Some users also claimed they had encountered similar situations. One commenter alleged that after questioning toll staff and showing proof of sufficient FASTag balance, their Rs 200 was also returned immediately.

(Disclaimer: This article is based on a viral social media post and online reactions. The Economic Times cannot independently verify the authenticity of the content and does not claim or endorse it.)