FIR filed after woman alleges sexual harassment by Rapido driver
Bengaluru: Two days after a woman alleged that a Rapido bike taxi driver sexually harassed her during a ride in central Bengaluru, the Wilson Garden Police have registered a first information report (FIR) and begun an investigation.
The incident reportedly took place on November 6, as reported by the Hindustan times. A woman had booked a ride from Church Street to return home. In her complaint, she stated that the driver attempted to touch her inappropriately while riding. “He tried to grab my legs while riding. It happened so suddenly that I couldn’t even process it,” the woman said in a social media post. She said that when she objected, the driver did not stop.
When the woman reached her destination, a bystander intervened and questioned the driver. The driver initially apologised but later gestured at her in a threatening manner before leaving, she alleged.
She wrote that she chose to speak publicly about the incident because of how unsafe the experience made her feel. “No woman should have to go through something like this- not in a cab, not on a bike, not anywhere,” she said.
On Saturday, the complainant updated that the Bengaluru Police and teams from Rapido had contacted her and extended support and also said that CCTV footage had corroborated her version of events.
Rapido, in an earlier public statement, said it was looking into the matter. “Your safety and comfort remain our top priorities. Kindly allow us some time to investigate the matter in detail,” the company stated.
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Health Department launches leprosy awareness campaign in Dakshina Kannada, district reports 47 cases
Mangaluru: The Health Department launched on Friday the Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign, to promote early detection and treatment to the disease and also to educate people in the district about leprosy.
The campaign, which is a nationwide initiative, will continue till February 13.
According to a report by Deccan Herald, District Health Officer Dr. HR Thimmaiah has said that 47 cases of leprosy were reported in Dakshina Kannada till December in 2025-26.
He has stressed on the need for early detection and treatment of the disease as it would prevent complications prior to detection. He also stressed on creating awareness, increasing community participation in cases of early detection. “People should not neglect white or brown patches without sensation on their skin,” the DHO advised.
Dr. Thimmaiah added that people diagnosed positive would be treated with free Leprosy Multidrug Therapy (MDT). “The government also provides Disability Prevention and Medical Rehabilitation (DPMR), splints, self-care kits, multicellular rubber footwear, and reconstructive surgery to patients. People can log on to sanjeevani.opd or esanjeevani.in for free teleconsultation if they come across any symptoms of the disease,” he added.
Referring to social stigma attached to leprosy, the DHO called it a challenge and said that the Department had planned awareness programmes in rural areas in collaboration with gram panchayats to ensure that there is no discrimination of patients. “ASHA workers and staff from other departments will be trained to create awareness among the people to overcome social stigma. A door-to-door campaign will be conducted. In addition, officials will visit educational institutions to create awareness among students,” he said.
Speaking about the leprosy cases in Dakshina Kannada, Dr. Thimmaiah said that the 47 cases were reported between April and December, with 42 being diagnosed as multibacillary (MB) leprosy and five as paucibacillary leprosy. One child too has been detected with leprosy during the year, he added.
He said that the district reported 29 cases in 2020-21, 39 in 2021-22, 75 in 2022-23, 62 in 2023-24, and 43 in 2024-25. The number of cases was higher in 2022-23 as patients were not able to visit hospitals during the Covid-19 pandemic in the previous years, the DHO informed.
