A 28-year-old woman pilot in Mumbai has filed a police complaint alleging sexual harassment during a late-night Uber ride. The incident occurred on Thursday around 11:15 pm when she was traveling from South Mumbai to her home in Ghatkopar.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), the woman's husband, a Navy officer currently residing in a naval residential complex due to the unavailability of official housing, booked the cab for her. Approximately 25 minutes into the journey, the driver deviated from the agreed-upon route. He then stopped the vehicle and allowed two unidentified men to enter the cab. One of the men sat next to her in the backseat and allegedly began to touch her inappropriately.

The woman stated that she felt threatened and screamed in fear. The other man who had entered the vehicle reportedly threatened her to be quiet. Despite her protests, the cab driver did not intervene. The men exited the cab when the driver slowed down near a police checkpoint.

Upon reaching her destination, the woman questioned the driver about the identity of the men and his reasons for allowing them into the vehicle. The driver remained silent. Distressed and panicked, the woman paid the fare of Rs 530 and left the cab.

The following day, the woman and her husband reported the incident to the police. An FIR was registered around 1 am on Saturday against the cab driver and the two unidentified men. Police have detained the driver and have launched a search for the other two accused. The driver has been booked under sections pertaining to sexual harassment and criminal intimidation.

The police have also stated that they are investigating the matter further, including the circumstances under which the two men were allowed into the cab and the driver's role in the alleged harassment. They are also looking into the cab aggregator's (Uber) policies and procedures for ensuring passenger safety.

This incident has raised concerns about the safety of women using ride-hailing services, particularly at night. While these services offer convenience, incidents like this highlight the potential risks and the need for enhanced safety measures. It also brings to light the importance of passengers remaining vigilant and reporting any suspicious or inappropriate behavior to the authorities.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to gather more information and bring the perpetrators to justice.