Bengaluru: A 22-year-old engineer in Bengaluru has filed a sexual harassment complaint against an auto-rickshaw driver associated with the ride-hailing app Rapido. The incident allegedly occurred on November 30, and the police have since lodged a case and detained the driver for questioning.
According to the victim’s complaint, she hailed a Rapido ride from Bob’s Bar in Indiranagar to a defense enclave in the Annasandrapalya area, covering a distance of approximately 8 km. The woman initiated the ride at 2:25 am and provided the OTP (One-Time Password) for the Rapido ride. However, the driver allegedly did not enter the OTP and commenced the journey without verification.
Upon reaching her destination, the victim attempted to make the payment by scanning the QR Code. It was at this point that the driver reportedly engaged in inappropriate behavior, putting his hand under her skirt. In response, the woman raised an alarm, prompting the driver to reverse the auto-rickshaw, causing her to fall from the vehicle and sustain injuries to her hand and leg.
In her attempt to identify the driver, the victim used the QR Code and allegedly discovered that his name was Eklasuddin Laskar. The police have registered a case under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to assault or criminal force against a woman with the intent of outraging her modesty. The accused driver has been detained for questioning.
Rapido, in a statement, acknowledged that the driver is registered with their platform. The company’s dedicated team assisted the police in locating the driver and accompanied him to the relevant police station. The driver reportedly denied the allegations, asserting that no such incident took place. Despite this, the police have initiated an investigation, recognizing the seriousness of the complaint.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges associated with ensuring the safety and security of passengers in the ride-hailing industry, prompting the need for continued vigilance, thorough investigations, and stringent measures to address such cases of harassment.
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