Delhi Police have arrested a cab driver accused of raping a woman passenger in Dwarka area of the Capital. The Indian Express reports that the female passenger took a yellow-and-black taxi from Dwarka Modh Metro Station while returning home from work on Thursday night.
The incident came to light when a motorcyclist witnessed the cabbie forcing himself on a woman and reported the matter to a PCR stationed nearby.
In December, a female passenger was raped by Uber cab driver, which led to massive outrage and calls for more stringent verification of cab drivers.
Police have identified the cabbie as 38-year-old Ramesh Kumar, a resident of Najafgarh area in Delhi outskirts. He has been working as a driver since 1996. A police officer quoted by the newspaper says:
The woman was sent for a medical examination and we have registered an FIR on the basis of her complaint. Kumar has been arrested and we are investigating the case.
– RA Sanjeev, DCP (Southwest), Delhi Police
An FIR has been registered under sections pertaining to rape, wrongful confinement and voluntarily causing hurt, among others, says the report.
The incident took place when the 32-year-old woman, who reportedly works in a West Delhi mall, was returning home. On her way back, she hailed a cab at Dwarka Modh Metro Station.
Another passenger, whom police are yet to identify, also got into the cab at the same point. After dropping the male passenger, the cab driver parked the taxi at a dimly lit road. He then got into the rear seat of the car and allegedly started sexually assaulting her.
Police reached the spot after being informed by the witness, but the taxi had already driven off. However, the driver was intercepted by the police after a brief chase.
Meanwhile, reacting to the incident, Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai has assured strict action.
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