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Bengaluru Ola auto driver allegedly slaps woman for cancelling ride to take another auto

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ISN Team
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Bengaluru Ola auto driver allegedly slaps woman

In a troubling incident that has raised concerns about women's safety in broad daylight, an Ola auto driver in Bengaluru allegedly slapped a woman named Niti during a heated argument after she cancelled her ride with him and boarded another auto.

Niti shared her harrowing experience on X (formerly Twitter), where she expressed frustration at Ola's lack of response to the incident.

"Yesterday in Bangalore, my friend and 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 abuses," Niti recounted.

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The confrontation escalated further when the driver began verbally harassing Niti, questioning whether the auto "belonged to her father" and making derogatory comments.

"I began recording which engaged him further, when i mentioned reporting him, he challenged me, showing no fear of consequences," she said.

According to Niti, the situation took a violent turn when the driver tried to snatch her phone. "I resisted, and he slapped me in front of my auto driver, who did nothing, and bystanders who remained passive. He continued to threaten me, saying he’d beat me with his slippers as well," Niti said.

"Thankfully, my driver managed to get us away, but Ola’s response has been disappointing. After reporting the incident via the app, we received only an automated reply. Attempts to reach their support line failed, leaving us frustrated and helpless," she added.

Reflecting on the ordeal, Niti explained that their only mistake was booking two autos to ensure her friend didn’t miss a class.

"In Bangalore, autos often cancel rides or demand extra money. The argument could have been tolerated, but the driver’s threats and assault crossed a line," Niti said, adding that she had never felt this unsafe in the city before.

Watch the full video

Netizens reaction

Since being posted, the video has garnered over 160,000 views and still counting.

As the video went viral, Ola condemned the driver's actions and assured the public that appropriate steps would be taken to address the grievance and ensure passenger safety.

"This sounds quite alarming, Niti. Don’t worry, we are here to help you with this. Please provide us with the CRN and your registered email ID via DM so that we can investigate this further," the company replied. 

Bengaluru Police also replied and wrote, "Please provide specific area details and your contact number via DM."

Many social media users demanded the driver's arrest, with one commenting, “How dare he! Cancel his license and throw him behind bars.”

"Ride cancellation is a basic right of customer. Of course the driver can be compensated by the platform/customer based on the conditions for cancellation. But abuse verbal or physical is not acceptable. This auto driver must face the legal consequences," another wrote.

Police arrest auto driver

Sharing the update on X, The DCP West Bengaluru said that the auto driver has been arrested by the Magadi Road Police.

"The auto driver has been apprehended by the Magadi Road Police, and action is being taken in accordance with the law for the offence committed," the police stated, sharing photographs of the arrested driver.

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