A disturbing video capturing a Rapido bike taxi driver physically assaulting a woman passenger in Bengaluru's Jayanagar area has sparked outrage online. The viral clip, believed to have been filmed by a passerby, shows the rider slapping the woman so forcefully that she collapses to the ground, while several onlookers stand frozen, failing to intervene.
What Was the Incident?
The incident reportedly took place after the woman, who is said to be employed at a jewellery store, confronted the Rapido rider for rash driving. According to India Today, the altercation escalated after she ended the trip mid-way and questioned the rider's driving behaviour. However, a language barrier only fueled tensions, as the woman allegedly only spoke English while the rider communicated in Kannada, leading to a communication breakdown.
Matters took a turn for the worse when the woman allegedly refused to return the helmet or pay the fare. The video clearly shows the two engaging in a heated argument before the man strikes her across the face, sending her to the ground. Despite the public nature of the incident and the crowd gathering around them, no one intervened to stop the assault.
Watch the video here:
Authorities later confirmed that the local police had encouraged the woman to file an FIR. However, she chose not to pursue legal action. A non-cognizable report has been filed, and an investigation is currently underway.
This isn't the first time a woman commuter has faced violence in Bengaluru. In a separate episode that happened in September last year, an Ola auto driver allegedly assaulted a woman after she cancelled her ride. That incident also sparked outrage after a video surfaced showing the furious driver verbally abusing the passenger and questioning her over fuel costs.
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