In Bengaluru, an auto driver named Muthuraj, arrested last week for allegedly abusing a female passenger, has become the focus of a contentious debate. Reports indicate that Muthuraj’s legal fees could amount to ₹30,000, prompting some individuals on X (formerly Twitter) to propose crowdfunding for his defense. This move has generated significant backlash for supporting an accused abuser.
Muthuraj’s case has garnered mixed reactions online. Mohan Dasari, a user advocating for the auto driver, argued that the legal costs are excessive given Muthuraj’s financial situation. “It’s a frustration that led him to react this way. Four days in jail should not result in such a high legal fee. Any lawyer willing to help Muthuraj? I’ll contribute ₹1000,” Dasari wrote.
Supporters of this initiative have expressed willingness to contribute to the fund, emphasizing that while Muthuraj’s behavior was unacceptable, the legal fees are burdensome. One supporter commented, “Kannadigas should raise ₹30,000 for the auto driver. He deserved his jail time but not such high legal expenses during this period of high inflation.”
Conversely, critics have condemned the crowdfunding effort. Sid, another user, challenged the notion of using regional pride to justify financial aid for someone accused of assault. “Is it right to crowdfund for a person who allegedly assaulted a young woman? Using regional identity to excuse such actions is troubling,” Sid remarked.
The controversy follows a viral video showing Muthuraj allegedly grabbing a woman’s phone and slapping her after a ride cancellation. The Bengaluru police arrested him the same day, and the video has since fueled the heated debate over his support and legal funding.
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