Bengaluru:A 39-year-old businessman was allegedly abused and assaulted by a cab driver after objecting to a detour intended to avoid a road toll. The incident took place on October 9, and Chikkajala police have arrested the driver, Mujahid Ali Mujeeb alias Mujahid Pasha (36), a resident of RT Nagar. He has since been released on bail.
Incident at Kempegowda Airport
The complainant, Bharath Ramarao, a resident of Mysuru Road, had arrived at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) from Delhi around 2.30 pm, about 20 minutes before his scheduled time. He booked a cab linked to his flight ticket, and Mujahid picked him up at 2.50 pm.
However, instead of taking the toll road that Bharath had paid for online, the driver allegedly took him via Shettigere Road. When Bharath questioned the detour, the situation escalated.
“I immediately asked the driver why he took me on a different route instead of the toll road. He started shouting at me,” Bharath said. “I insisted he stop the vehicle and got out. When I clicked his photo, he got down and slapped me. During the argument, he assaulted me again. Many people witnessed it, but nobody came to help.”
Police action and legal proceedings
Bharath called the police helpline 112, but the driver initially escaped the scene. Police later collected the driver’s details from Bharath and arrested him by 10 pm the same day, according to officials.
A senior police officer noted that the driver claimed the passenger shouted at him while he tried to avoid the toll.
“Whatever the reason, assaulting someone is unlawful,” the officer added.
A case has been registered under BNS sections 115 (voluntarily causing hurt), 126 (wrongful restraint), 324 (mischief), 351 (criminal intimidation), and 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace).