Unveiling the Controversy: The Altercation between a Rapido Driver and a Woman Passenger in Bengaluru
Visuals from Bangalore exhibit an altercation between a woman and a Rapido driver; the footage portrays the woman striking the driver, who subsequently retaliates by slapping her.
In a shocking turn of events, a video showing a heated exchange between a Rapido bike taxi driver and a woman passenger in Bengaluru went viral, causing outrage among the public. The incident occurred on June 13 near Jayanagar, leading to the driver's arrest. However, a recent twist in the tale reveals that the woman may have initiated the physical altercation during an arguing over alleged reckless driving by the driver[1][2][3].
The Initial Unrest
The tragic incident unfolded when the woman, employed at a jewelry store, booked a Rapido to reach her destination. She reportedly confronted the driver about his rash driving near a footwear showroom and later ended the ride after the driver failed to pay heed to her concerns[3]. The verbal altercation escalated, culminating in the woman refusing to pay the fare and return the helmet. The driver then allegedly hit her, causing public uproar[3].
The Shift in Narrative
New revelations have emerged with the surfacing of CCTV footage that shows the woman hitting the driver first. This physical confrontation was initially denied by the woman[2][3][4]. The driver, who has been detained by the Bengaluru police, reportedly told India Today that the woman was speaking rudely and accused him of poor driving[3]. When he took a shortcut to help her reach her destination faster, she reportedly rudely questioned his driving skills and knowledge[3].
Legal Consequences
Following the woman's decision to file a complaint, the police lodged an FIR against the Rapido driver, Suhas, on June 16[1]. As the gravity of the situation became clear, the police are now planning to convert the non-cognizable report (NCR) into an FIR.
Karnataka Bike Taxi Ban
Meanwhile, a recent High Court directive has prohibited bike taxis from operating as commercial vehicles in Karnataka. Despite this, Rapido still offers a "bike parcel" service on its app[3].
As the investigation into the incident continues, the public awaits the outcome with bated breath, acknowledging the complexity of the altercation and its potential impact on future bike taxi services in Bengaluru.
[1] Shubham Batra, "Rapido driver files counter complaint in Bengaluru assault case.", India Today, June 17, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/india/story/bengaluru-rapido-driver-files-counter-complaint-in-assault-case-1941907-2023-06-17
[2] "Bengaluru Rapido driver detained after video of him slapping woman passenger surfaces online." TOI Bangalore, June 14, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/bengaluru-rapido-driver-detained-after-video-of-him-slapping-woman-passenger-surfaces-online/articleshow/99479058.cms
[3] Bhargavi Subramaniam, "Rapido driver hits woman who alleges rash driving, video goes viral." Deccan Herald, June 14, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.deccanherald.com/nation/women-employee-of-jewellery-store-alleges-rapido-driver-slapped-her-over-refusing-to-pay-1049741.html
[4] "Bengaluru woman deices to file FIR against Rapido driver after viral video shows him slapping her." Sify News, June 15, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.sify.com/news/bengaluru-woman-decides-to-file-fir-against-rapido-driver-after-viral-video-shows-him-slapping-her-news-national-nbllhjgbeciibjh.html
- The controversy surrounding the altercation between a Rapido driver and a woman passenger in Bengaluru has taken a new turn with the surfacing of CCTV footage, casting doubt on the initial claims that the driver was solely responsible for the altercation, providing a fresh perspective for the general-news industry.
- In the world of finance, the impact of the incident on the transportation sector, particularly bike taxi services such as Rapido, has left industry analysts questioning the long-term implications, particularly in the wake of a recent High Court directive banning bike taxis from operating as commercial vehicles in Karnataka.
- Meanwhile, the crime-and-justice sector is following the legal consequences closely, as the police are now planning to convert the non-cognizable report (NCR) into an FIR, following the woman's decision to file a complaint against the Rapido driver, Suhas.
- The defi (decentralized finance) industry might also be watching the situation closely, as the incident highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in the modern digital economy, where ride-sharing apps have become an integral part of daily life for many.
