By News Karnataka Editorial Team
Copyright newskarnataka
Bengaluru: A 21-year-old auto driver associated with an app-based taxi booking platform was arrested on Thursday for allegedly abusing and assaulting a 28-year-old woman passenger after she cancelled a ride she had booked. The incident took place on the night of October 2 in Hanumantappa Layout, Kyasalahalli, under the Kothanur police limits.
Video of assault goes viral
The victim, a call centre employee from the northeast, recorded the altercation on her mobile phone and uploaded the video on social media, where it quickly went viral. In the clip, the driver is seen confronting the woman and using abusive language after she cancelled his ride.
Following the social media uproar, Kothanur Police traced the victim and urged her to file an official complaint. Initially reluctant, she lodged a complaint on Thursday, leading to the arrest of the accused, identified as Pavan H.S., a resident of Yelahanka and originally from Mandya district.
Pavan, who is unmarried, was booked for assault and verbal abuse and has been remanded to judicial custody at Bengaluru Central Prison.
What happened on October 2
According to the woman’s complaint, the incident began around 7 pm when she booked an auto from her residence in Kyasalahalli to Banaswadi via an app. After waiting for around seven minutes without the driver arriving, she flagged down another passing auto and proceeded to cancel her earlier ride.
“Just as I cancelled the booking, the auto I had originally booked reached the spot,” the woman said in her statement.
The woman, who has been living with her younger sister in Bengaluru for two years, alleged that Pavan blocked her auto, questioned her for cancelling the ride, and demanded an explanation in Kannada.
“I tried to respond in English, but he got angry. He asked me to speak in Kannada and started abusing me. When he began recording me on his phone, I also started recording him,” the woman said in her complaint.
When she attempted to leave, the driver allegedly hit her hand, escalating the confrontation. The video shows the driver of the auto she was travelling in advising Pavan to back off, warning him that the incident could land him in legal trouble if shared online.
Police action and investigation
After receiving the complaint, the Kothanur Police filed a case under Sections 354 (assault or criminal force on a woman) and 504 (intentional insult) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
“The accused has been arrested and remanded to judicial custody. We are verifying his past records and whether he has been involved in similar behaviour earlier,” a senior police officer said.
Police have also contacted the app-based platform to verify the driver’s employment details and whether he had been previously flagged for misconduct.
Public response and safety concerns
The video sparked widespread outrage online, with many users demanding stricter regulations for drivers associated with ride-hailing and auto-booking apps. Women’s rights activists have also called for better safety mechanisms within such platforms, including quick emergency response and stricter background checks.
The Bengaluru Police have assured that the investigation will be completed swiftly and appropriate action will be taken.
Broader context
Incidents of passenger harassment by app-based drivers have surfaced repeatedly across major Indian cities, raising questions about safety and accountability. Experts believe that while technology-enabled transport services offer convenience, they must also prioritise passenger protection, especially for women and vulnerable groups.
The victim has since received counselling support and police protection. Authorities have urged citizens to report any such misconduct immediately via the city’s emergency helpline.