Shocking Auto-Rickshaw Incident in Delhi: Woman Warns Others After Near Kidnapping
{A Delhi commuter’s morning turned into a nightmare when an auto-rickshaw ride went horribly wrong. She shared her experience on Reddit, sparking widespread concern about safety for those relying on ride-hailing apps and autos.
Her Experience
The woman, who uses apps to book autos for work, chose Ola after her usual app had no autos available. A few minutes into the ride, the driver suddenly stopped, claiming his phone wasn’t working to see the way. She discovered later that he ended the ride in-app, disabling any tracking.
He then steered the auto down an unfamiliar road, immediately raising her suspicions. She noticed they were traveling in the opposite direction toward a location almost two hours away, instead of her usual short route.
She ordered the driver to turn back, but he insisted, “madam, this is what Google Maps is showing,” while speeding on highways where she couldn’t escape.
Her quick message to her partner prompted him to call instantly, demanding the driver take her back. Following heated arguments and her contemplating leaping from the moving auto, the driver finally turned back near her area, refused payment, and fled. She and her partner became convinced this was an attempted kidnapping, as the driver didn’t even want payment.
She felt shaken and frustrated, discovering Ola had no effective safety tools, only directing her to “call the police” with no formal complaint options.
Authorities have reported other cases in Delhi and nearby cities involving auto drivers behaving dangerously, even attempting kidnappings. Another incident involved a teenage girl in Thane who managed to escape by jumping from a running auto, aided by a compass.
How People Responded Online
Many Reddit users expressed alarm and empathy, writing remarks such as, “Terrifying experience” and “Absolutely scary”. Some suggested she lodge a police complaint and pressure Ola via social media to take action.
Others offered advice and recounted similar incidents:
• Have your keys ready to defend yourself if needed.
• Talk loudly on the phone about your route or play Google Maps aloud so drivers know you’re being tracked.
• Choose metro travel instead of booking autos when alone if feasible.
• Stay away from Ola due to its lack of proper safety tools.
Her Must-Know Solo Travel Safety Guidelines
• Think Twice Before Booking Alone: Booking alone can be risky as you can’t always know the driver.
• Confirm Auto’s Plate Matches the App: Double-check the auto number to prevent impersonation.
• Only Board After OTP Verification: Board once your one-time code is entered and the trip is live.
• Monitor the Ride on Your Phone: Keep the app open to see if the trip gets stopped.
• Inform a Trusted Contact of Your Whereabouts: Let a family member or friend track your trip live.
• Position Yourself for Quick Exit: Sit on the open side to escape quickly if required.
• Book Only for Familiar Routes: Stick to Nvidia roads you’re familiar with to avoid risk.
• Check Google Maps: Follow along on maps to spot detours.
• Know Where Help Is Available: Stay aware of police patrols in case you need help.
• Avoid Ola (Strong Advice): She strongly advised avoiding Ola due to poor safety and weak complaint systems.
This alarming incident underscores the urgent need for ride-hailing platforms to implement stricter driver checks, real-time monitoring, and proper passenger support systems during emergencies.
Note: The experience has not been independently verified by Duniya Daily News Team. We are just trying to share her experience as share on Reddit community for the benefit and awareness of others.
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