Police slap non-bailable charges on Uber driver

KOCHI: In a dramatic turn of events, the  police slapped a case under non-bailable sections on Shafeeq, the online cab driver, who was allegedly assaulted by three women in the city last week. 
The Maradu Police registered a case against Shefeeq on various charges including section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty)  of IPC, based on the complaint lodged by the women. The police had arrested Clara Shibin(28), of Alakode in Kannur district, Sheeja Afsal(30) of Pathanamthitta and Angel Mary (36) of Alakode in Kannur from Vytilla on Wednesday for  beating up Shafeeq.The women lodged a complaint alleging Shafeeq had abused them. According to the officers, the FIR was lodged based on this complaint and an investigation was underway.

Drivers take out march
The one-day strike called by the online taxi drivers against Uber company’s inaction in the recent assault on a taxi driver, passed off peacefully.The Trade Union Council of India (TUCI) members and victim Shafeeq who was injured in the assault by three women passengers, held a press meet on Monday afternoon. They narrated the hardships being faced by the drivers of online taxi services during their job. The drivers also took out a protest march from Elamkulam to Vyttila. A public meeting was held at Vyttila seeking speedy action to ensure  justice for Shafeeq. They also raised various issued faced by them.

 Programme convenor Jackson Varghese said online taxi drivers were under tremendous pressure and the company was showing a lethargic attitude towards their issues. He condemned the company’s insensitive approach when one of their employees is facing a difficult situation.

State-wide strike  planned
Jackson said they are planning a state-wide strike next week if Uber does not come up with an effective response. The decision to call the strike was taken on the previous day and owing to time constraints all the drivers could not be informed. But once they came to know about the protest, all of them participated in the agitation expresssing solidarity with the stir, he said. It was last Wednesday three women passengers were held for manhandling Uber taxi driver Shafeeq .They had booked a pool taxi (share taxi) but asked Shafeeq not to carry another passenger. When Shafeeq refused, the women passengers allegedly attacked him. They were later granted bail.