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Talking to CNN-News18, the Rapido driver, Suhas, claimed that the woman began speaking to him rudely, asking, “Are you illiterate?” and continued to abuse him throughout the ride
Bengaluru Rapido rider clarifies his action that sparked outrage | Image/CNN-News18
The Rapido bike taxi rider, accused of slapping a woman passenger in Bengaluru’s Jayanagar area on Saturday after she asked to end the ride midway due to rash driving, claimed he was verbally abused and hit twice before he retaliated.
Talking to CNN-News18, the Rapido driver, Suhas, claimed that the woman began speaking to him rudely, asking, “Are you illiterate?” and continued to abuse him throughout the ride. He alleged that she tried to grab his collar and hit him with a tiffin box, striking him twice.
“She tried to hold my collar and hit me. She took a tiffin box and hit me. She hit me twice,” he said, insisting that she was the first to get physical and raise her voice.
“I hit her once,” Suhas admitted, adding that he was trying to communicate in limited English he knew during the heated altercation.
The altercation reportedly began after the woman confronted the driver over rash driving, which, according to police sources, escalated into a heated argument and ended with the driver allegedly assaulting her.
A video, recorded by a passerby, captures the moment the Rapido driver slaps the woman with such force that she falls to the ground, as several bystanders look on.
BENGALURU: Rapido bike rider slaps customer as she allegedly questions him over rash driving and jumping signal. Incident occurred on June 14th in Jayanagar area of Bengaluru.Jayanagar police are looking into the case.INPUT: @Harishup pic.twitter.com/j8IbpvItT0– Rahul Shivshankar (@rshivshankar) June 16, 2025
According to Suhas, a car suddenly blocked their path, prompting him to stop about 100 metres from the woman’s office.
When she asked for an explanation and the fare, which he said was Rs 77, she allegedly raised her voice and hit him first with a tiffin box.
‘Go Back To Your Country’
Suhas admitted to telling her to “go back to your country,” explaining that he knew little English and was actually referring to her state.
Police have filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the Rapido driver under Sections 115(2) (attempt to cause hurt), 352 (assault or use of criminal force), and 79 (uttering obscene words in a public place) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The driver, whose vehicle bears the registration number KA-05-KJ-2897, has been taken into custody for further investigation.
According to the FIR, the woman had booked a Rapido ride from BTM Layout to Jayanagar 3rd Block and alleged that the driver was driving recklessly and ignoring traffic rules.
When she confronted him about it, he allegedly hurled obscene abuse at her and physically assaulted her in a public area.
Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be…Read More
Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be… Read More
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