A concerning incident has come to light in Bengaluru on Thursday involving a young woman being abused, slapped, and harassed by a middle-aged auto driver associated with Ola for cancelling a ride.
The incident has been reported to the police, and an investigation has been launched.
Assistant Commissioner of Police, Vijayanagar sub-division, Chandan Kumar, responded to the incident by assuring the victim that the police would register a case, conduct an enquiry, and take legal action.
Meanwhile, Ola Support has sent a request on the victim’s registered email ID to investigate the matter further.
The young woman, Niti, stated that she faced severe embarrassment and was physically assaulted by an Ola driver after a simple ride cancellation.
On September 3, the victim and her friend booked two autos on Ola due to peak hours. The victim cancelled her trip as her friend’s vehicle arrived first and boarded that vehicle.
The other auto driver followed them, and after stopping the vehicle she was traveling in, he furiously started shouting and hurling abuses.
“The auto driver went on to verbally assault us, questioning whether the auto belonged to my father and making derogatory comments. I began recording, which enraged him further. When I mentioned reporting him, he challenged me, showing no fear of consequences,” the victim stated.
The victim also shared videos showing the Ola auto driver hurling vulgar abuses at her, claiming that he was made to wait for five minutes after arriving at the spot and questioning whether her father would pay for the gas since she decided to cancel the ride.
The victim asked the driver not to shout and abuse her, to which the driver asked her what else he should do.
When the young woman told him that she would approach the police, the auto driver challenged her to go to the police right away.
The video shows the auto driver grabbing her phone.
The victim alleges that he slapped her.
The young woman is seen in another video questioning the auto driver about why he slapped her and what she should do about it.
The auto driver told her to lodge a police complaint.
The young woman is also heard saying that she was still addressing him respectfully and questioning how he could talk to her in that manner.
The young woman asked the auto driver in Hindi whether cancelling a ride was a crime.
Using vulgar language, he told her to speak in Kannada. He could also be heard saying, "Let anything happen today; I am not going to be quiet."
The victim wrote to Ola stating, “Despite reporting, your customer support has been unresponsive. Immediate action is needed.”
Meanwhile, the rival cab aggregator ‘Namma Yatri’ company apologised for the incident involving the victim on Thursday.
On social media platform X, Namma Yatri stated to the victim, “We hope you are doing well. We are really sorry to hear about the unfortunate incident. We wanted to get in touch with you to know the auto driver’s details so that we can take precautionary steps on our platform.”
Police sources said that they have tracked down the auto driver and identified him as one Mutturaj.
They have questioned him and asked the victim to come to the police station to record her statement.
US Congress to certify Trump winner of 2024 election
The US Congress on Monday will certify President-elect Donald Trump's victory in the November 2024 election, peacefully wrapping up a ritual his supporters had tried to prevent in 2021 in the misleading belief that he had been cheated of a win.
Enrolment of new women voters in Tripura higher than of men: Officials
Enrolment of new women voters in Tripura, at 2,166, has been more than that of new male voters, leading to an increase of the gender ratio to 993 in the final electoral rolls from 991 of the draft electoral rolls, officials said here on Monday.
Beginning of the end for Trudeau and his vindictive anti-India politics
The ties between India and Canada soured after Trudeau alleged in the Canadian Parliament last year that he has "credible allegations" of India's hand in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
India prepared to respond promptly to any emerging health challenges: J.P. Nadda on HMPV
India’s surveillance network remains vigilant and the country is ready to respond promptly to any emerging health challenges, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda said on Monday, as the number of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in the country reached five in a single day.
Justin Trudeau to step down as Canadian Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau on Monday announced that he will step down as the Canadian Prime Minister and Liberal leader once his party has chosen a new leader.
Glad to know about Microsoft's ambitious expansion, investment plans in India: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who met Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella on Monday, said he was glad to know about the tech giant’s ambitious expansion and investment plans in India.
Sullivan meets NSA Doval, highlights US efforts to bolster civil nuclear cooperation with India
US National Security Advisor (NSA) Jake Sullivan on Monday emphasised efforts of the outgoing Biden administration in finalising necessary steps to delist Indian nuclear entities to promote civil nuclear cooperation and resilient clean energy supply chains.
Two children test positive for HMPV in Chennai, recovering
Two children in Chennai have tested positive for Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) and are recovering, officials said on Monday. Doctors stated that both cases are linked to common respiratory symptoms such as fever, cold, and cough.