India
Threatened, held hostage, attempted rape: DU student slams police for offering taxi driver ‘easy path to bail’ – Times of India
This is a representative image (Image: PTI)
The student alleged that the driver, who was associated with an online taxi aggregator company, took her hostage and drove to a remote location with the intention of raping her, but she managed to escape. She claimed that when she reached the police station to file a complaint, she had to wait for seven hours after her complaint.
“Despite a clear and serious threat to my life, the FIR that was eventually filed included only minor charges, allowing the perpetrator to be easily released on bail. The lenient handling of the case and the inability to take immediate, necessary action are very worrying. she told PTI.
In her complaint to the Special Commissioner, she stated that the taxi driver who came to pick her up was not the same person as shown on the online portal. A senior police official said he had received the complaint and was investigating the matter.
On Monday, an FIR was registered under Sections 127 (2) (wrongful confinement) and 351 (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in Model city police station to Vinod, the taxi driver. According to the student, he was arrested the same day and released on bail.
The incident took place on October 5 at 11.10 pm when the woman was traveling to ISBT from her rented accommodation near Delhi University North Campus. The taxi driver took her to a remote location with the intention of raping her. When she fought back, he threatened her with a knife and said, “It would be too easy for me to kill you in two minutes.”
The student told PTI that Vinod asked her personal questions during the ride, which made her feel uncomfortable, and when he took a different route, it aroused her suspicions. She managed to escape from the car and flee.
“When I contacted the North-Eastern State Helpline of Delhi Police, instead of directing me for immediate help, they referred me to the nearest police station. I then went to the Model Town police station, hoping for quick action. confronted with shocking indifference and a lack of urgency from the police,” she said.
The student expressed concern for her safety as the taxi driver knows her residential location. She called on the police to guarantee her safety.
In her complaint to the Special Commissioner, she stated that the person driving the taxi was not the official driver as his details did not match the information on the online portal. The taxi was owned by another person, the designated driver was a different person and the suspect was a third unknown and unverified person. She also stated that the taxi aggregator should investigate the matter.
