A woman in Bengaluru was harassed and allegedly slapped by an Ola auto driver after she cancelled her ride booked through the ride hailing app. A video of the altercation, shared on social media, shows the auto driver and the woman arguing, during which he tries to snatch her phone. The driver has been arrested, police said.
In the video, an agitated cab driver argues aggressively with the woman. When she questions why he is shouting, he responds, "Tera baap deta hain kya gas ke paise? (Does your father pay me for the gas?)".
The woman then says she will file a police complaint, to which the driver retorts that she can do as she wishes. She also asks why he slapped her, and the furious driver attempts to snatch her phone, insisting she get into his auto to go to the police station, but she refuses. The video concludes with the driver finally leaving.
@BlrCityPolice@CPBlr,
Is this acceptable behavior of Auto driver? Harassing female passenger!
It’s becoming difficult for women to venture out alone in #Bengaluru
pic.twitter.com/KR669U6P69— Citizens Movement, East Bengaluru (@east_bengaluru) September 5, 2024
Alok Kumar, the Additional Director General of Police Traffic and Road Safety, responded to her post and said, "Such behaviour is unacceptable. (A) few people like him give (the) auto drivers community a bad name. Have informed the concerned to take appropriate action."
The auto driver has been arrested by Magadi Road Police and "action is being initiated for the offence committed as per law," police said.
The Auto Driver has been apprehended by Magadi Road Police.Action is being initiated for the offence committed as per law. pic.twitter.com/YpHgql69Xf
— DCP West Bengaluru (@DCPWestBCP) September 5, 2024
The woman said that she and her friend initially booked two autos on Ola due to peak hours and cancelled the one booked by her friend when the one she booked arrived first after which the driver from the cancelled cab followed and abused them.
"Yesterday in Bangalore (Bengaluru), my friend & I booked two autos on Ola due to peak hours. I arrived first, so she cancelled hers. The other auto driver followed us, furious. Despite explaining the situation, he started shouting and hurling abuse," she wrote on social media X demanding immediate action.
"The 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," she further alleged.
The woman also claimed that the driver tried to snatch her phone and slapped her when she resisted.
"Despite this, he continued his threats, saying he'd beat me with his slippers too," she alleged further.
Ola also responded to the woman's post saying the incident "sounds quite alarming" and will be investigated.
