A female software engineer is claimed to have been sexually harassed by a Rapido bike taxi user in the incident, which underscores continuing threats to safety for women using ride-hailing apps in Bengaluru. The incident occurred as the victim was en route to Manyata Tech Park, one of the city's major IT hubs.
The woman had used the Rapido app to book a bike taxi, the complaint said in writing. The rider started behaving inappropriately and indecently in the throes of the journey. When the woman confronted him and a fight broke out, the rider purportedly intensified his actions, physically assaulting the woman and touching her inappropriately.
Police Action and Arrest
The victim promptly informed the police of the horrifying situation. The Annapoorneshwari Nagar Police registered an FIR pursuant to sections of the law based on her comprehensive account. With information gathered through the aggregator app and local intelligence, the law enforcement officers were able to find and arrest Vivek, the defendant. He is now in police custody and is being interrogated about the incident.
Bike Taxi Concerns on High Rise
The arrest comes after a series of similar claims against bike taxi firms in Bengaluru. In just last November, another rider named Lokesh got caught by the Wilson Garden police for a similar crime. The regular episodes have sparked heated controversy in the city's high-tech community and the residents regarding the vetting of "captains" (riders) using these platforms, and in some cases even among a subset of the citizens themselves. Some of the common safety concerns are:
- Verification: The importance of a strict criminal background check for riders.
- Route Deviations: Worries about riders taking unknown or secluded routes.
- SOS: The development of an app with a system for quicker and better emergency response.
Although Vivek's police took prompt action against the victim, the experience has left not only the victim but also the surrounding locality shaken and traumatised. Law enforcement officials have asked women to be sure to use the safety features on such apps and report the emergency helpline (112) quickly if they feel unsafe while riding.
