Humiliated, traumatised and still in hospital undergoing treatment for injuries sustained from the alleged assault by three women passengers a couple of days ago in the city, online cab driver T.A. Shafeeq is all set to approach the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) and explore all possible means to pursue justice.
Even as the 32-year-old Kumbalam resident continues to undergo treatment at the Ernakulam General Hospital, his neighbours and relatives took out a protest march to the Maradu police station, accusing the police of giving the kid-glove treatment to the trio.
Mr. Shafeeq has complained of neck pain and optical problem, following which he underwent an eye test. He has already filed a police petition and is waiting to be discharged from the hospital to pursue other means for justice. “I am still in shock and feel humiliated after being beaten up in the heart of the city in broad daylight and being made to stand naked before the people. I feel completely helpless and ashamed of stepping out. There is no other way but to fight for justice as my job and my family’s livelihood are on the line,” said Mr. Shafeeq. The incident happened on Wednesday when the three women passengers, who boarded Mr. Shafeeq’s cab under the share taxi scheme, allegedly attacked him after he reportedly turned down their demand to ask a male passenger who had boarded the vehicle before them to get out. The women were handed over to the Maradu police by the passers-by and were later released on station bail. Earlier, the residents of Kumbalam took out a protest march from Kundannoor Junction to the Maradu police station.