Rapido bike rider arrested for molesting woman during ride in Bengaluru

Bengaluru : A bike taxi rider has been arrested by police in Bengaluru for allegedly molesting a woman passenger during a ride, raising fresh concerns over commuter safety in app-based transport services.

The accused has been identified as Mohammed Khaja, a rider associated with the bike taxi platform Rapido. He was taken into custody by Indiranagar Police following a complaint lodged by the victim.

According to police, the woman had booked a Rapido bike taxi from BTM Layout to Indiranagar. During the journey, the rider allegedly behaved inappropriately and made unwelcome physical contact with the passenger. Disturbed by the incident, the woman immediately approached the police and filed a formal complaint.

Acting swiftly on the complaint, Indiranagar police registered a case and traced the accused. He was subsequently arrested and is currently being questioned. Officials stated that further investigation is underway to verify all aspects of the case.

Police sources said that such incidents are taken seriously, and strict action will be initiated against those found guilty of harassment. They also urged passengers, especially women, to report any misconduct immediately to ensure timely intervention.

The incident has once again highlighted safety concerns related to app-based bike taxi services, particularly for women commuters. Experts have emphasized the need for stronger verification processes for drivers, improved monitoring mechanisms, and enhanced safety features within mobile applications.

Authorities have also advised passengers to share ride details with trusted contacts and use in-app safety features wherever available. Meanwhile, the police have assured that all necessary legal action will be taken against the accused based on the findings of the investigation.