Nagpur: A dispute over the cancellation of a Rapido auto ride allegedly escalated into a harassment complaint after a 36-year-old woman accused an auto-rickshaw driver of sending her obscene and objectionable messages through the ride-hailing platform.
Following the woman’s complaint, Pratap Nagar police registered a case against the driver, identified as Sahil Chaudhary, and launched an investigation into the alleged exchange.
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According to police, the woman had booked an auto through the Rapido app on September 19. The driver arrived in auto-rickshaw MH-49-CF-0377, but the woman allegedly found that he had reached a location different from the pickup point she had specified.
The woman and the driver subsequently spoke over the phone regarding the pickup location. Their conversation reportedly turned into an argument, following which the woman cancelled the ride.
Driver allegedly sent objectionable messages
According to the complaint, the driver’s behaviour allegedly changed after the cancellation. The woman claimed that he subsequently used the in-app communication facility to send her objectionable and obscene messages.
She alleged that the messages contained abusive language and comments that were offensive and intended to insult her dignity.
Disturbed by the alleged messages, the woman approached Pratap Nagar police and lodged a complaint.
Digital evidence under scrutiny
Based on the complaint, police registered a case under Sections 79 and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) along with other applicable provisions mentioned in the FIR.
Investigators are examining the communication between the woman and the driver, the messages allegedly sent through the Rapido platform and other available digital evidence.
Police are also expected to verify the circumstances surrounding the ride cancellation and the subsequent exchange before determining further action.
The case has once again highlighted how disputes arising during app-based cab and auto bookings can spill over into personal harassment, particularly when communication between passengers and drivers continues through digital platforms.
Police said that cancellation of a ride or any disagreement over a pickup location does not justify abusive or objectionable behaviour, and further action will be taken based on the investigation.
