There have been innumerable cases where cab drivers, bike taxi riders, and food delivery executives have misused the contact information of female customers and sent them inappropriate or obscene messages. But this time around, another incident has come to light which has proven to be far more dangerous for women.
A woman named Athira Purushothaman had booked a Rapido ride for her way back home after having attended a protest in Bengaluru. She alleged that the rider arrived on a different bike which was not registered with the Rapido app because the original one was given for servicing. She accepted and proceeded with the ride nonetheless.
Athira went on to claim that during their journey, the rider was using one hand to control the handlebar while the other hand was engaging in “inappropriate behavior”. She insinuated he was masturbating while riding the bike. Fearing for her safety, she remained silent because they were travelling via a road which didn’t have many vehicles moving around.
She asked the rider to drop her way before her destination so he doesn’t get to see her house. After the ride was over, he started “relentlessly” calling her and sending her messages on WhatsApp. Despite blocking him, he began calling from different numbers.
Here’s a look at the messages the Rapido Rider sent her:
Here’s a look at Athira’s tweets:
Thread 🧵#SexualHarassement
Today, I went for the Manipur Violence protest at Town Hall Bangalore and booked a @rapidobikeapp auto for my way back home. However, multiple auto cancellations led me to opt for a bike instead. pic.twitter.com/bQkw4i7NvO— Athira Purushothaman (@Aadhi_02) July 21, 2023
Surprisingly, the driver arrived on a different bike, explaining that the one registered with @rapidobikeapp was under servicing. I confirmed my booking through his app and proceeded with the ride.
— Athira Purushothaman (@Aadhi_02) July 21, 2023
During the journey, we reached a remote area with no other vehicles around. Shockingly, the driver began riding with one hand and engaging in inappropriate behavior (Masturbating while riding the bike). Fearing for my safety, I remained silent throughout the ordeal.
— Athira Purushothaman (@Aadhi_02) July 21, 2023
I asked him to drop me 200 meters before my actual destination to conceal my home location. Once the ride was over, he started relentlessly calling and messaging me on WhatsApp. I had to block his number to stop the harassment.
— Athira Purushothaman (@Aadhi_02) July 21, 2023
@rapidobikeapp, what measures are you taking for background verification? Your users’ safety should be a top priority. Please ensure that people registered with your service can be trusted for a safe travel experience. He keeps calling me from different numbers even now!
— Athira Purushothaman (@Aadhi_02) July 21, 2023
While the police have taken note of the incident, people online were left shocked and questioned the steps such companies take to conduct background checks of potential candidates before hiring them. Some even shared similar experiences. Have a look:
@rapidobikeapp this is absolutely horrific.
— Sakshi Shukla (@thesakshishukla) July 22, 2023
This is beyond scary. Another major reason as to why I stopped taking Rapido bikes (apart from the life threatening ways they drive through in peak traffic). Even after too many complaints to @rapidobikeapp, the only response have been ‘Sorry for the inconvenience’. Not enough.
— Sharankundu (@sharankundu) July 22, 2023
Such incidents have become so common with @rapidobikeapp . friend booked an auto. A different no. plate one came. Took him through some isolated place. Took his phone on pretext of seeing map. My friend asked him to stop,he did not. Luckily his auto broke, my friend ran away.
— Prakhar Gupta (@prakhar__gupta_) July 22, 2023
I used to take rapido to ofc every day, 1 time a guy told me he will give me ride every day for ofc. I agreed coz it’s difficult to get any ride inpeak hours. He waited for me next 2 days and dropped me. From the third day he started harassing me for lending him money, like 8-10k
— Ankit (@ankit_1329) July 22, 2023
@rapidobikeapp Why are numbera being shared with drivers? Shouldn’t it be a general number to call and call gets forwarded to the rider? This is dangerous and unacceptable
— _memyself_ (@keepinitomyself) July 22, 2023
I think these apps like zomato, ola should not disclose customer’s contact. Instead they can provide some masked number so that privacy is maintained.
— Prasanna Karkhanis (@itspk9699) July 22, 2023
A similar incident had happened with me a year ago in Delhi, this guy started calling me and was saying that there’s an offer for me ,when I rejected , he started calling me from different numbers
I raised a complaint @rapidobikeapp but they didn’t take any action.— prathima korra (@prathimaaaaaaa) July 22, 2023
What are your views on incidents like these?