Mumbai: A shocking incident involving an Ola driver has surfaced, raising concerns over passenger safety in intercity rides. A 50-year-old man traveling from Mumbai to Pune was allegedly slapped by the cab driver following a heated argument over the route and air conditioning. His son narrated the ordeal on social media, shedding light on the disturbing series of events.
The passenger’s son took to Reddit to explain that his father had booked an Ola cab from eastern Mumbai to Pune. However, the driver unilaterally decided to take the Atal Setu route, which the passenger objected to. Despite protests, the driver argued and proceeded with his own choice of route.
Adding to the discomfort, the driver turned off the air conditioning during peak summer heat, claiming, “There is no gas.” He then stopped the vehicle midway at Khopoli, stating that he needed to refill gas.
As tensions escalated, the argument took a violent turn. The driver allegedly slapped the passenger, leaving injury marks on his face. The passenger retaliated, striking back at the driver. The son’s post highlighted how his father, despite being attacked, maintained his composure.
Upon reaching Wakad, near Pune, the driver took an unexpected detour onto a service road, where a “bulky goon” allegedly joined the scene, further escalating the matter. The situation intensified, leading both parties to a police station.
The police advised the passenger to file a formal complaint for action against the driver. However, he chose not to, considering it would lead to the driver’s ID getting blocked and affecting his livelihood. Despite the ordeal, the passenger paid the full fare as per the app’s charges.
Interestingly, the Reddit user mentioned that the fare amount was later refunded via Amazon Pay without any intervention from their end.
This incident has sparked debates on social media regarding passenger safety in app-based cab services, urging companies to take stricter measures against driver misconduct.