Bengaluru auto driver Sentenced to Jail and Fined for Assaulting Woman

An ola auto driver in Bengaluru, identified as R. Muthuraj, has been sentenced to four days in jail and ordered to pay Rs 30,000 in legal fees following an incident where he assaulted a woman who had cancelled her ride. Muthuraj, 46, was arrested by the Magadi Road police and faces charges under Sections 74 and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. He will spend four days in jail before being eligible to apply for bail.A senior police officer condemned the driver’s behavior, describing it as "unacceptable" and stressing that the court is treating the case with the seriousness it deserves. “This was a rogue act. The accused verbally abused and physically assaulted a young woman in broad daylight simply because she cancelled a ride. Such conduct is intolerable, and bringing him before the court underscores the severity of the offense,” the officer stated.
An investigating officer added that Muthuraj will remain in jail until Monday, at which point he can apply for bail. However, the bail process might not be completed until tuesday or Wednesday.Reports indicate that Muthuraj acknowledged his anger but could not justify his actions. Along with jail time and legal costs, his driving license and permit will also be suspended.

The Incident
The situation began when a woman in Bengaluru and her friend booked separate auto rides to the same destination. One of them cancelled her ride after the other auto arrived first. The woman explained that they had booked two autos to ensure her friend did not miss her class, given the common issue of autos either cancelling rides or demanding extra money.

The driver, who was near the location when the cancellation occurred, became enraged and followed the woman. Despite her attempts to explain the situation, he began shouting and using abusive language. He also attempted to snatch her phone to prevent her from recording the encounter and forcibly took her to the police station. During the confrontation, he slapped her, and a video of the incident subsequently went viral.

The Viral Video
In the viral video, the woman is seen repeatedly asking the driver why he is shouting. The driver responds with frustration, questioning how one can cancel a ride by mistake and who will cover the fuel costs, sarcastically asking, “Does your father pay for gas?” Despite the woman’s warnings that she would report him to the police, the driver insists on going to the police station together. When the woman suggests going to a different station and mentions she has already noted his phone and auto details, the driver slaps her.

Following the viral spread of the video, DCP West Bengaluru confirmed, “The auto driver has been apprehended by Magadi Road Police. Legal action is being taken as per the law.”
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Balasahana Suresh

08/09/2024 07:17 PM