Rapido Driver: A Rapido bike driver allegedly assaulted a female passenger in Bengaluru’s Jayanagar area, turning a minor disagreement into a shocking roadside altercation. The incident unfolded in the heart of Karnataka’s capital when the woman stopped the ride midway, reportedly due to the driver’s rash driving.

Eyewitnesses said the dispute began over the driver’s refusal to provide a helmet and the woman’s hesitation to pay the fare. Despite bystanders’ repeated efforts to defuse the situation, both parties continued arguing loudly. In a fit of rage, the Rapido driver suddenly slapped the woman across the face, causing her to fall to the ground. The disturbing incident shocked onlookers and raised serious concerns about passenger safety. Soon after, local police arrived at the scene and urged the woman to file a formal complaint. However, she declined to do so, choosing instead to walk away from the matter.

Take a look at the video:

A #Rapido bike taxi driver in #Bengaluru allegedly slapped and assaulted a woman passenger after an argument over rash driving.

The incident, which occurred in #Jayanagar three days ago, was caught on camera and has since gone viral. pic.twitter.com/1x389U1sYg

— Hate Detector 🔍 (@HateDetectors) June 16, 2025

What Happened:

A woman working at a local jewelry store booked a Rapido bike ride in Bengaluru. However, as soon as the journey began, she grew increasingly uncomfortable with the driver’s fast and reckless riding. Unable to tolerate it any longer, she got off the bike midway and confronted the driver. The disagreement quickly escalated into a heated argument. The situation worsened due to a language barrier; she spoke only English, while the driver spoke only Kannada. Frustration built on both sides, and tensions flared further when the woman allegedly refused to pay the fare and return the helmet.

In this viral video, the driver was seen suddenly slapping the woman, causing her to fall to the ground. Earlier in the video, both individuals can be seen arguing and calling for help from bystanders, but no one stepped in to intervene. Even after the slap, the driver did not attempt to apologize or de-escalate the situation, turning the conflict into a public brawl.

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Police Investigation:

Police responded promptly and encouraged the woman to file an FIR. However, she refused. As a result, the police registered a non-cognizable report and have since launched an investigation. Meanwhile, the incident has sparked fresh debate amid ongoing legal battles over bike taxis in Karnataka. The High Court recently upheld the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government’s decision to ban bike taxis in the state. Karnataka’s Transport Minister, Ramalinga Reddy, confirmed that the High Court had declared bike taxis illegal three months ago. The government had given Rapido, Ola, and Uber Moto a 12-week deadline to comply with the ruling, which has now expired.

Despite the ban, a user on the social media platform X revealed that Rapido continues to offer parcel services in Bengaluru. He even shared a screenshot as proof. The demand for bike taxis remains high in Bengaluru, India’s tech hub, where Rapido holds 60% of the market share and facilitates 16.5 lakh rides daily. The service employs over 1.5 lakh gig workers across Karnataka. With the government’s crackdown on bike taxis, thousands of livelihoods now hang in the balance.

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