Viral Video: Rapido Rider Booked for Assault After Woman Questions Rash Driving in Bengaluru’s Jayanagar
Viral Video: Rapido Rider Booked for Assault After Woman Questions Rash Driving in Bengaluru’s Jayanagar
A Rapido bike-taxi rider in Bengaluru has been booked after allegedly assaulting a woman commuter who raised concerns about his rash driving. The incident occurred around 10 a.m. on June 13 in the Jayanagar area and gained widespread attention after a video of the altercation surfaced online
The woman, a 28-year-old jewellery store employee from BTM Layout, had booked a Rapido ride to Jayanagar 3rd Block. During the journey, she reportedly confronted the rider, identified as Suhas, for flouting traffic rules and driving recklessly. The argument escalated, and according to the woman’s complaint, Suhas slapped her, causing her to fall. Eyewitnesses captured the incident on video, sparking public outrage.
Initially, the woman declined to lodge a formal complaint when police arrived at the scene, and a Non-Cognizable Report (NCR) was filed. However, following the viral video and encouragement from friends, she approached police again on June 16 to file a formal First Information Report (FIR).
Based on her complaint, Jayanagar police booked Suhas under the following sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS):
- Section 115 – Voluntarily causing hurt
- Section 352 – Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace
- Section 79 – Word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman
The woman alleged that Suhas not only drove dangerously but also verbally abused and physically attacked her when confronted.
In response, Suhas posted a video statement claiming that he took a shortcut to save time and that the woman became aggressive before he could explain. He alleged that she struck him first with her tiffin box, prompting his reaction. “I got angry and told her to go back to her state. I don’t speak English well, but I tried responding in English,” he said.
The incident comes amid growing scrutiny of bike-taxi services in Karnataka, especially after a recent High Court directive asking aggregators like Rapido to suspend operations in the state starting June 16.
