In a shocking incident that has reignited concerns about passenger safety in ride-hailing services, a 27-year-old woman was slapped and confined inside an Uber cab by the driver over a dispute of just ₹40. Shivanii, who lives in Wadala East, chose an Uber from Mahalaxmi to Nerul on April 22.
What Happened
Shivanii had paid the full fare of ₹501 through the Uber app at the time of booking, which included all relevant charges. The driver at her destination in Nerul asked for an additional ₹40 in cash, claiming it was for tolls.
When Shivanii refused to pay, saying that the fare was already paid digitally, the driver became aggressive, she said. The driver locked the doors from inside and prevented her from leaving the vehicle as she tried to get out of the car, she said. She tried to push him away and escape, but he slapped her and threatened more violence if she did not comply.
Intervention & Police Action
Shivanii’s colleagues waiting for her at the destination also saw the commotion and rushed to the spot. They were able to intervene and call the local police. Nerul police arrived soon after and filed a non-cognizable complaint against the driver. A non-cognizable offence is usually a crime that is investigated but requires a magistrate's approval to arrest a person without a warrant.
Uber's Response
“We have zero tolerance for such behaviour,” Uber said in a statement. The driver was banned from driving in the area where the incident took place, and we are working with law enforcement.
But Shivanii noticed a worrying detail: after the incident, her Uber account was temporarily blocked. In this case, she was the victim. Uber later said the block was automatic due to the dispute flagging system and has since been resolved. Wider Concerns
The incident, captured partially on mobile phones by eyewitnesses, has since resurfaced on social media, generating thousands of comments and shares. Many users recalled similar disputes over toll charges, highlighting a systemic lack of fare transparency and passenger safety especially for women using ride-hailing services at night or in isolated areas.
Shivanii has called for tighter background checks on drivers and a clearer policy on toll charges in digital fares. Meanwhile, local women’s rights groups have called for the police to upgrade the complaint to a cognizable offence, which would see the accused driver arrested immediately.
