BENGALURU: A Bengaluru woman has alleged that a Rapido auto driver harassed and threatened her following a disagreement over ride cancellation and waiting charges. The incident came to light after the woman shared a video of the confrontation on social media, prompting swift action from both Rapido and the Bengaluru City Police.
Passenger alleges verbal harassment over waiting charges
According to the woman’s statement, the argument began when she requested the driver to wait for two minutes outside her residence as she was looking for her keys. However, upon reaching the pickup point, the driver allegedly demanded extra payment for exceeding the waiting time and refused to proceed with the ride unless she agreed to pay.
The woman said she refused to pay any additional charges, citing that the delay was only two minutes. The driver reportedly insisted that he had been waiting for 10 minutes, escalating the argument further. The woman then asked the driver to cancel the ride, but the situation allegedly turned aggressive, with the driver verbally harassing and threatening her.
Rapido responds, suspends driver after complaint
Following the viral video, Rapido’s support team contacted the passenger and confirmed that the driver involved had been suspended pending investigation. The company stated that it does not tolerate any form of misconduct or harassment by its drivers and assured that strict action would follow after a detailed internal review.
Bengaluru Police intervene after video goes viral
The Bengaluru City Police also responded to the video on X (formerly Twitter), asking the complainant to provide details of the incident for further investigation. The authorities have reportedly reached out to the woman for her official statement.
Social media users reacted strongly to the video, demanding stricter accountability from ride-hailing companies. Many called for enhanced background checks and real-time safety protocols for passengers, especially women.
Growing concerns over passenger safety in ride-hailing apps
Incidents of passenger-driver disputes have been reported in multiple Indian cities, raising concerns about safety standards among ride-hailing platforms. Experts say that better monitoring mechanisms, transparent waiting charge policies, and in-app emergency escalation features are essential to ensure user safety.
With growing reliance on app-based mobility in urban centres like Bengaluru, passenger safety continues to be a top priority for authorities and service providers alike.