Bengaluru, Jun 16 (PTI): A Rapido bike taxi rider was caught on camera for allegedly slapping a woman passenger following an argument between them over rash driving, police said on Monday.
The incident occurred on June 13 when the woman, who works as a saleswoman at a jewellery shop in Jayanagar, was en route to her workplace, they said.
Owing to his alleged rash driving, she got off mid-ride and confronted him, leading to a heated argument between them. The woman reportedly also refused to pay the fare and return the helmet, police said.
When contacted, Rapido preferred not to comment on the matter, citing it as a police case.
A video of the incident that has now gone viral on social media platforms showed the biker slapping the woman. The impact of the assault was such that she fell on the ground.
According to the police, when the matter came to light, both the woman and the rider were brought to Jayanagar police station.
The woman claimed that the rider was driving rashly and jumped signals. When she questioned him, an argument broke out between them and he slapped her, a senior police officer said.
Despite persuading the woman, she initially refused to give a complaint. However, police filed a Non-Cognizable Report (NCR) in the matter. Later, a notice was also sent to her to give a complaint, so that an FIR can be registered and further investigation can be carried out, he said.
Based on the complaint lodged by the woman, a case was registered against the accused bike taxi rider on Monday under sections 79 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) and 115 (voluntarily causing hurt) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, said Lokesh B Jagalasar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South).
"On 13th of this month at 10 am, there was an argument and altercation. It was followed by the slapping of a woman by a Rapido driver. On asking the woman to register an FIR that day at Jayanagar police station, she refused to do so. However, today she has come forward to register a case in this regard.
The facts of the case are such that on 13th morning, the woman had objected to the unsafe riding of the driver, following which an altercation had ensued. He slapped her. Regarding this, the investigation is underway and the accused is being questioned and legal action will be taken as per law," he said in a video statement.
A Rapido bike taxi driver assaulted a woman passenger in Bengaluru’s Jayanagar a few days ago after she questioned his rash driving. Video shows him slapping her hard. pic.twitter.com/3ouULnyQsx
— Flaming Saffron (@FlamingSaffron) June 16, 2025
#Rapido case - New CCTV footage shows the Rapido customer hitting the Rapido rider/captain twice before he retaliates. The customer had claimed that she was assaulted by the rider for questioning rash driving. pic.twitter.com/waMMqxXsb5
— Harish Upadhya (@harishupadhya) June 16, 2025
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Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said he has no personal involvement in action taken against certain Congress leaders from the minority community following allegations of an internal conspiracy during the recently held Davanagere South bypolls.
He clarified that the decisions were taken by the party high command based on available reports.
Asserting that party discipline is of utmost importance, Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, sought to downplay concerns that action against minority leaders may send the message that “Muslims are being targeted.”
“I don’t have any personal involvement in this. Whatever decisions are taken are made by the party leadership. The party has its own reports. Decisions regarding MLAs or MLCs cannot be taken at the state level without instructions from Delhi,” he said.
Speaking to reporters, he added, “People may blame me; I am not concerned. Everyone must function in accordance with party discipline.”
Responding to concerns within sections of the party that recent actions may convey the impression that minority leaders are being targeted, he said the Congress exists for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, backward classes, farmers, and all sections of society.
The Congress has suspended MLC K Abdul Jabbar from primary membership and relieved another MLC, Naseer Ahmed, from the post of Chief Minister’s political secretary.
The action followed allegations by a group of Muslim leaders that certain party members conspired to defeat the official candidate in Davanagere South.
Following the action, speculation has emerged that Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan may also face disciplinary measures during the next cabinet reshuffle.
The three leaders had reportedly sought a Muslim candidate for the Davanagere South bypoll ticket, which the party instead allotted to the late MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa’s grandson, Samarth Mallikarjun.
They were also said to have not actively participated in the campaign.
Shivakumar also rejected claims of factionalism within the ruling party amid speculation that leaders close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah were being targeted.
Naseer Ahmed and Zameer Ahmed Khan are considered close to the CM.
Rejecting allegations of factionalism within the party, Shivakumar said, “We speak to each other every day. It is the media that creates divisions. Where is my faction? Has anyone put up a board saying they belong to the Siddaramaiah faction? Have I put up any such board?”
“All 139 legislators are my people, and they are all Siddaramaiah’s people as well. Everyone belongs to the Congress,” he added, saying there are no factions within the party and that such claims are media-driven.
Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satish Jarkiholi met Shivakumar on Friday, a day after expressing concerns that disciplinary action against minority leaders may send the wrong message.
Shivakumar said he discussed with Jarkiholi the need to decongest Bengaluru traffic by diverting vehicles entering the city from state and national highways, along with party-related issues.
“We also discussed political matters in the interest of the party and the need to work together,” he said.
Later, speaking to reporters, Jarkiholi said he discussed with Shivakumar the issue of withdrawing Jabbar’s suspension. He said he will also visit New Delhi next week to meet the high command and discuss state developments.
“Jabbar’s suspension was discussed (with Shivakumar). It should be withdrawn. Let’s issue him a notice and allow him to reply. Then let’s send the report to the high command and seek their approval. High command approval is necessary because the instructions came from there. It may take some time,” he said.
Stating that he met the KPCC chief for “damage control,” the minister said, “We have tried to convince him. Sometimes certain decisions happen that need rectification.”
