A woman in Bengaluru faced harassment and alleged assault by an Ola auto driver after she canceled her ride. The shocking incident, captured in a video that went viral on social media, has sparked outrage and raised concerns over the safety of passengers using ride-hailing apps.
Argument Escalates to Physical Assault
The incident occurred when the woman and her friend booked two separate autos on Ola due to the city’s peak hour traffic. After the auto the woman had booked arrived first, her friend canceled her ride. However, the driver of the canceled auto followed them and began hurling abuse at the women.
An Auto driver slaps a woman passenger for cancelling the ride.
Why such incidents keep happening in Bengaluru since LAST 2 YEARS ??
— Rishi Bagree (@rishibagree) September 5, 2024
In the video, the agitated auto driver can be seen arguing aggressively. At one point, he asks the woman, “Tera baap deta hain kya gas ke paise?” (Does your father pay for the gas?), when questioned about his outburst. The woman then threatened to file a police complaint, to which the driver nonchalantly replied, “Do whatever you want.”
Attempts to Snatch Phone
As tensions escalated, the woman accused the driver of slapping her and trying to snatch her phone. She refused the driver’s demands to get into the auto to head to the police station, while the driver continued to act aggressively. The video concludes with the driver leaving the scene.
The woman took to X, sharing her ordeal and demanding immediate action. She revealed that the driver not only verbally assaulted her but also made derogatory comments. Despite her efforts to record the incident, the driver remained unafraid of potential consequences and continued his verbal threats.
Ola and Police Respond
Ola quickly responded to the woman’s post, calling the incident “quite alarming” and promised a full investigation into the matter.
Additionally, Alok Kumar, Additional Director General of Police (Traffic and Road Safety), also addressed the issue. He condemned the driver’s behavior and stated that such incidents tarnish the reputation of the auto drivers’ community. Kumar assured that action would be taken against the driver.
The investigation is ongoing, with the authorities expected to take appropriate steps to ensure passenger safety in the future.
