Watch: Rapido driver slaps woman after she confronts him for rash driving

A Rapido driver in Bengaluru allegedly assaulted a woman passenger after a fare and helmet dispute. The incident, captured on video, has prompted police to consider filing an FIR, sparking concern over the safety of bike taxi users.

Hyderabad: A disturbing video of a Rapido bike taxi driver allegedly assaulting a woman passenger in Jayanagar has gone viral, triggering outrage over the incident. The altercation reportedly took place near a footwear showroom three days ago.

According to the police, the woman, who works at a jewellery store, confronted the driver over rash driving and got off mid-ride. A communication barrier escalated tensions, as the woman only spoke English while the driver conversed in Kannada. Matters worsened when the woman reportedly refused to pay the fare and return the helmet.

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In the viral video, the two are seen arguing as bystanders watch without intervening. The confrontation turned violent when the driver slapped the woman, causing her to fall to the ground. Shockingly, no one nearby attempted to stop the assault.

While police initially registered a Non-Cognizable Report (NCR), they are now considering converting it into a First Information Report (FIR) following public outrage and the video’s circulation online. The woman was initially reluctant to lodge a complaint but later agreed to cooperate, police said.

Jayanagar Police have taken up the investigation. Bengaluru, known as India’s tech hub, sees 16.5 lakh Rapido rides daily, with over 1.5 lakh gig workers employed in the bike taxi segment.

The incident has raised serious concerns over passenger safety and the need for stricter regulation of app-based bike taxis.