A video of a woman confronting an auto-rickshaw driver in Bengaluru after he allegedly attempted to steal money from her purse has gone viral, sparking outrage on social media. The incident, which highlights concerns about passenger safety and the conduct of some drivers, has prompted calls for stricter background checks and action against the accused driver.
Janhavi Kshatriyas, a model and fashion designer, shared the video and a detailed account of the incident on her Instagram account. According to her post, she booked a Rapido auto-rickshaw from Marathahalli to JP Nagar 7th Phase in Bengaluru. During the ride, she noticed the driver repeatedly staring at her through the rearview mirror, making her feel uneasy. She informed a friend about this via Snapchat, also mentioning that her phone battery was low.
To avoid her phone dying mid-journey, Kshatriyas requested the driver to allow her to make the payment before reaching her destination, and he agreed. However, things took a turn when the driver made a comment about her religion that she found offensive. According to Kshatriyas, when they passed a Hanuman statue, she instinctively folded her hands in prayer, and the driver allegedly asked in a mocking tone if she was Hindu, adding that she "didn't look like one."
Shortly before reaching her destination, Kshatriyas' mother called and asked her to buy coffee powder. She asked the driver to stop at a local shop and quickly went inside. Upon returning, she caught the driver red-handed, attempting to open the front zip of her handbag. She recounted that the money was stuck in the zipper, and he was struggling to get it out, unaware that she was standing right behind him.
When confronted, the driver allegedly became nervous and claimed he was "trying to move the bag behind to keep it safe." He even attempted to blame a random girl nearby for trying to steal it, despite Kshatriyas having witnessed his actions. Kshatriyas shared that she even asked the girl to confirm what had happened, explaining the situation in public.
In her post, Kshatriyas emphasized that the incident was not just about the money but about trust, safety, and dignity. She expressed her shock and concern about what could have happened if she hadn't returned in time. She urged Rapido to take strict action against the driver and improve their background checks to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. The post included a video revealing the driver's identity and vehicle number.
The video quickly went viral, drawing condemnation from social media users. Many demanded strict action against the driver, with some users calling for him to be punished. Others commented on the broader issue of auto driver conduct in the city.
Rapido has responded to the incident, issuing an apology and promising to investigate the matter thoroughly. They have requested patience as they look into the situation and provide further assistance.
