GURGAON: A cab driver, who allegedly misbehaved with a woman, hurled abuses at her and dropped her on a deserted stretch late in the evening, was arrested within hours of the incident, police said on Sunday.
Pankaj (22) of Bahni Maharajpur in Rohtak was arrested from Sector 50 area after the woman dialled the police helpline. The cab was also seized.
Police said on Dec 15, the woman booked a Rapido cab around 6pm after leaving her office.
Trouble began when the driver allegedly began playing loud music and refused to lower the volume despite multiple requests.
ID@undefined
__se__tag_icon ico_copytxtCopy MSID__se__tag_icon ico_embedSocialIcons_instagram Caption not available.
ID@undefined
__se__tag_icon ico_copytxtCopy MSID__se__tag_icon ico_embedSocialIcons_instagram Caption not available.
ID@undefined
__se__tag_icon ico_copytxtCopy MSID__se__tag_icon ico_embedSocialIcons_instagram Caption not available.
ID@undefined
__se__tag_icon ico_copytxtCopy MSID__se__tag_icon ico_embedSocialIcons_instagram Caption not available.
In a video, the woman recounts the incident that took place on Dec 15: "I requested him to lower the volume... the third time he said, 'Is this your father's car? You will tell me what to do?'" She added that the driver eventually turned aggressive.
"He said, 'Now I'll show you,' and started driving somewhere else. My hands were literally shaking."
She claimed the driver stopped the car on an unfamiliar road, forcing her to get down.
"He also got down and started looking at me with wrong intentions... I felt unsafe," she said.
"There was an argument with the complainant over talking on the phone and lowering the volume of music, following which he committed the crime," an officer said.
An FIR was registered at Sector 50 police station under sections 77 (voyeurism) and 79 (insulting modesty of woman) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita based on the woman's complaint. Further investigation is underway.
The statement (from a Rapido spokesperson): “We are seriously concerned by the incident involving a customer in Gurugram and regret the distress caused. The behaviour described is unacceptable and violates Rapido’s code of conduct and safety standards.
Upon learning of the incident, we immediately initiated internal verification, contacted the customer, and took swift action. The individual involved has been permanently suspended and blacklisted, with his documents blocked to prevent onboarding on Rapido or any affiliated platforms. We have also initiated communication with other ride-hailing platforms to prevent further onboarding.
Our team personally reached out to the customer and clearly communicated the actions taken. A mutually agreed resolution has been reached, and the customer has confirmed satisfaction with the outcome. We will continue to support the customer and cooperate with the authorities to the fullest.
Passenger safety is non-negotiable at Rapido. All captains undergo mandatory background verification, continuous behaviour monitoring, and real-time ride tracking, and are supported by a 24/7 Emergency Response Team. Safety features such as in-app SOS, call masking, and late-night ride confirmations provide immediate assistance when required.
As a platform operating at scale, we recognise the responsibility that comes with our riders’ trust and remain committed to strengthening safety systems, enforcing strict accountability, and maintaining transparency.”
Get an chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey here
Samad Hoque is a crime reporter with The Times of India, with a k...
Read MoreSamad Hoque is a crime reporter with The Times of India, with a keen interest in the intersections of politics and public life. He has previously worked for The Tribune newspaper in Delhi.
Read Less