Rapido Rage in Bengaluru: Driver Slaps Female Passenger in Shocking Roadside Incident
Bengaluru (The Uttam Hindu) : A disturbing video has emerged from the Jayanagar area of Bengaluru showing a Rapido bike taxi driver slapping a woman passenger, sparking outrage across the city and reigniting concerns about the safety of women commuters and the regulation of app-based bike taxi services.
The Incident: Argument Turns Violent in Jayanagar
The shocking incident occurred in broad daylight in the busy neighborhood of Jayanagar, a bustling commercial area in south Bengaluru. The female passenger, reportedly an employee at a jewellery store, had booked a ride through Rapido, a popular bike taxi app. According to eyewitnesses and initial reports, the woman objected to the driver's reckless driving and asked him to stop the vehicle. Upon stopping, a heated argument ensued between the two, worsened by a language barrier—the woman was reportedly conversant only in English, while the driver spoke only Kannada. The situation escalated further when the woman allegedly refused to pay the fare and did not return the helmet, possibly due to anger or confusion. In response, the driver slapped her forcefully, causing her to fall to the ground, as seen in the video that has since gone viral on social media platforms.
Public Apathy: Bystanders Do Little
The video footage shows a few onlookers initially attempting to mediate the argument. However, when the driver slapped the woman, none of the bystanders intervened to protect her or stop the assault, raising serious questions about public apathy and the culture of bystander silence in cases of violence against women. The lack of intervention has drawn criticism from citizens and activists alike, who say it reflects a deeper societal issue where people often choose not to get involved, even in blatant cases of public violence.
Police Response: Victim Declines to File FIR
According to a report by NDTV, local police arrived at the scene shortly after the incident was reported. Authorities urged the woman to file a First Information Report (FIR), but she refused to pursue the matter legally, possibly due to trauma, fear, or unwillingness to get involved in prolonged legal procedures. Despite her decision, the police registered an anonymous complaint (non-cognizable report) to document the event. The identity of the Rapido driver has not been disclosed, and it remains unclear whether the company has taken disciplinary action against him.
Legal Context: Bike Taxis Already Banned in Karnataka
Ironically, this incident comes at a time when bike taxi services have been officially banned in Karnataka. In April 2024, the Karnataka High Court directed the state government to prohibit two-wheeler taxis, following legal challenges over their safety, regulatory gaps, and classification as commercial vehicles.
The state government had earlier stated that bike taxis were being operated illegally under private registration numbers, in violation of Motor Vehicles Act provisions. Services like Rapido had continued to operate amidst legal ambiguity, but the court ruling clarified that such operations are not allowed, effectively rendering app-based bike taxi services illegal in the state.
Public and Political Reaction
The viral video has triggered a wave of criticism against ride-hailing platforms, especially regarding their lack of driver vetting, safety training, and accountability mechanisms. Many citizens took to social media, demanding strict punishment for the driver and tighter oversight of app-based transport services. Women’s rights groups have also expressed concern over the safety of female passengers, calling on both tech companies and the government to create stronger safety protocols, such as panic buttons, background checks, and multilingual customer support.
Rapido’s Silence and Accountability
As of now, Rapido has not issued an official statement on the incident. The company has previously come under scrutiny in other cities for operating without the required permits and licenses. In the absence of strong regulations and enforcement, incidents like this raise serious questions about passenger safety and corporate responsibility.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for better regulation of app-based transport services, particularly in metro cities like Bengaluru. With legal restrictions in place and safety concerns mounting, stakeholders—from the judiciary and government to the public and private sectors—must come together to ensure that urban mobility is not only efficient but safe and inclusive for all. For now, the onus lies on both law enforcement and app-based platforms to take swift action, hold the offender accountable and rebuild public trust before such incidents become the norm rather than the exception.