Mumbai journalist Ushnota Paul took to social media on 25 June to allege that she had been attacked by a woman she had shared an Uber cab with.
In a series of tweets, Paul accused a Uber pool fellow-passenger of assaulting her and hurling racial expletives at her.
Paul alleged that she was attacked at Lower Parel. She filed an FIR with the Mumbai police. ANI reported on 26 June that the probe into the case had begun.
On 26 June, Uber released a statement, asserting that the accused could no longer avail the services of the app. “It is is deeply upsetting & against our community guidelines. The co-rider in question cannot access the app. We’ve reached out to authorities to offer info that could be helpful in their proceedings,” the statement read.
She said that the co-passenger was “hostile” from the start of the ride. The woman verbally abused the driver over the ride route, Paul alleged, adding that when she intervened, the woman lashed out at her.
“Before she got down from the cab, she physically attacked me... grabbed me by my hair, tore off clumps of hair, scratched my face. I tried to defend myself with both hands trying to protect my face and I got huge scratches there too.”
Paul wrote that the driver and Mumbai police were supportive, but Uber refused to share the contact details of the passenger, citing privacy.
“This wasn't my fault. We, as women, should defend ourselves and stand up for what is right. I have a copy of the original FIR and I will not back down,” wrote Paul, adding that she was “shaken and terrified”.
(This story has been updated to reflect the statement released by Uber.)
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