A driver attached to a taxi aggregator has been accused of molesting a 32-year-old woman near Begur. While the alleged incident took place on April 28, it became public on Monday.
According to a hand-written complaint submitted by the woman, who is a professional singer, she had booked an Ola cab from her office in Koramangala to her house at Begur around 2 a.m. on April 28. She was picked up by the cab driver Ravikumar.
“On Begur Road, he suddenly stopped the car. He claimed that he needed to reverse the car, as the road ahead was blocked. He then turned around and grabbed me,” the woman told mediapersons.
She shouted for help, pushed the driver and fled. As the road was deserted, she hid in a nearby clinic until her friend picked her up. She went to the Bommanahalli Police Station and filed a complaint. However, she alleged, the police did not make any effort to arrest the culprit, who had driven away from the spot.
On Monday, police formed a team, led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, to nab Ravikumar.
When questioned about the women’s allegation of laxity, Hemanth Nimbalkar, Additional Commissioner of Police (East), said, “A case has been registered and we will catch the culprit soon.”
The Bangalore Tourist Taxi and Owners Association claimed the incident happened due to ‘non-regulation’ of taxi aggregators by the State government.
Ola issued a statement saying that the services of Ravikumar had been terminated. “Safety of users is of utmost importance to us. We have zero tolerance towards any such behaviour. We have assured the customer of full support in further investigation of the issue,” the statement.
Woman alleges assault by acquaintances
In a separate case, two persons have been accused of assaulting a woman artiste during an argument at Hegganahalli on Sunday night. The two men — Satish, a driver, and Bharat — are her acquaintances. The alleged argument took place outside her house. According to her complaint to the Rajagopalnagar police, they caught hold of her hand and attempted to pull her. Police have filed a complaint under Section 354 (use of criminal force with the intent of outraging the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code.
“The complaint does not say why the argument took place. We are investigating and are on the lookout for the two suspects,” said a senior police officer.
Trouble with cab drivers
May 2016: Woman lodges complaint with Indiranagar police accusing cab driver of misbehaviour.
March 2016: 30-year-old cab driver arrested for allegedly molesting woman passenger near HSR Layout 7th stage.
July 2015: Cab driver booked for misbehaving with a woman passenger at Mallathahalli
