Woman Alleges Bike-Taxi Driver Masturbated While Riding, Arrested

A Bengaluru woman recently came forward to share a distressing incident involving a Rapido bike taxi driver, accusing him of sexual harassment during a ride on Friday.

Her harrowing experience led her to voice her ordeal on Twitter. The incident occurred after she had attended a protest against Manipur violence and struggled to find an auto-rickshaw due to multiple cancellations.

What Was The Incident?

According to her account, the Rapido driver was not using the bike registered on the app, claiming it was under servicing. Despite this, she proceeded with the ride after confirming it through the app. As the journey progressed, she found herself in a remote area with no other vehicles around. At this point, the driver allegedly began engaging in inappropriate behaviour, masturbating while riding the bike with one hand. Fearing for her safety, she felt compelled to remain silent throughout the unsettling incident.

Thread 🧵#SexualHarassement
Today, I went for the Manipur Violence protest at Town Hall Bangalore and booked a @rapidobikeapp auto for my way back home. However, multiple auto cancellations led me to opt for a bike instead. pic.twitter.com/bQkw4i7NvO

— Athira Purushothaman (@Aadhi_02) July 21, 2023

In an attempt to conceal her home location, the woman requested the driver to drop her a short distance away from her actual destination. However, even after paying the fare, she claimed that the driver relentlessly called and texted her. She shared screenshots of the inappropriate messages. Distressed and concerned for her safety, she had to block his number to end the harassment.

Bengaluru Police Deputy Commissioner (South-East Division), CK Baba took to Twitter and informed that they had arrested the "real sicko on wheels". "BCP won't stand for such indecent antics! A Criminal case is lodged at E' City PS on a guy who was pretending to be Rapido bike rider! We're swifter. Keep it clean or face the full force of the law!" he said.

Not The First Incident

Sadly, this is not an isolated incident, as other Rapido drivers have faced similar accusations of sexual harassment. In another case, a Bengaluru woman had to jump off a fast-moving Rapido bike taxi after being allegedly groped and harassed by the driver. Fortunately, the accused in that case was arrested after the victim filed a complaint with the Bengaluru police.

These incidents highlight the urgent need for cab companies to take stringent measures to ensure the safety and security of their customers. Proper background checks and ongoing monitoring of drivers, as well as a robust reporting system, are essential to address and prevent such instances of harassment. Public awareness campaigns and training for drivers on appropriate behaviour towards passengers can also play a crucial role in curbing such behaviour.

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