A shocking incident in Bengaluru has once again raised concerns about women’s safety during app-based rides. A Rapido bike taxi rider has been booked by police for allegedly trying to grab a woman passenger’s legs during a ride. The woman recorded a video of the act and later shared her ordeal on social media, prompting swift police action.
The incident took place around 4 pm on Thursday, and the Wilson Garden Police have filed a First Information Report (FIR) in the case. Authorities have launched an investigation, while Rapido’s response is still awaited.
Incident Took Place During Evening Ride
According to the woman’s complaint, the incident occurred when she was returning to her Paying Guest (PG) accommodation from Church Street using a Rapido service.
In her Instagram post, she described how the rider suddenly tried to grab her legs while riding.
“While returning to my PG (Paying Guest) from Church Street on a Rapido ride, the captain (rider) tried to grab my legs while riding,” she wrote.
“It happened so suddenly that I couldn’t even process it, let alone record it. When he did it again, I told him, ‘Bhaiya, kya kar rahe ho, mat karo,’ but he didn’t stop.”She said the act happened twice during the ride, leaving her shocked and uncomfortable.
Woman Felt Unsafe to Stop the Bike
The woman also mentioned that she didn’t ask the rider to stop midway, as she was new to Bengaluru and unfamiliar with the routes.
“I couldn’t ask the rider to stop the bike because I was new to the place and had no idea where the vehicle was going,” she said.
The situation made her feel unsafe throughout the journey. By the time she reached her destination, she said she was trembling with fear.
Bystander Stepped In and Confronted the Rider
When the woman reached her drop-off point, a passerby noticed her distress and intervened.
“When I told him, he confronted the captain. The captain apologised and said he wouldn’t do it again — but as he left, he pointed his finger at me in a way that made me feel even more unsafe,” she added.
The man’s intervention helped defuse the situation temporarily, but the rider’s behaviour after apologising made the victim feel intimidated once again.
Police Register FIR and Begin Investigation
After reaching her PG, the woman shared a detailed account of the incident on Instagram, along with a short video. Her post quickly went viral, drawing attention to the growing number of harassment cases involving ride-hailing services.
Following her complaint, the Wilson Garden Police registered an FIR under sections related to outraging the modesty of a woman. Officials confirmed that they are verifying the rider’s identity and tracing his location.
A police official said the investigation is ongoing, and the accused will be questioned soon. Meanwhile, Rapido has not yet issued an official statement regarding the case.
Woman Urges Others to Speak Up
Ending her post, the woman urged others to come forward against harassment.
“I’m sharing this because no woman should have to go through something like this — not in a cab, not on a bike, not anywhere,” she wrote. “This is not the first time something similar has happened to me. But today I just couldn’t stay silent because of how unsafe I felt.”
Her post has since gained widespread support, with social media users demanding stricter checks for ride-hailing drivers.
