KOLKATA: A 26-year-old woman was allegedly assaulted by an app-based cab driver on Thursday after she refused to pay an additional ₹40 over the app-generated fare. The incident occurred while she was travelling from her home in Baguiati’s Deshbandhunagar to a relative’s house in Salt Lake’s DF Block.
The driver, identified as Shahbaz Ali, allegedly kicked the woman in the abdomen and twisted her right arm during the dispute. Despite the assault, the woman fought back — she kicked him in the knees, snatched his car keys, and ran to a nearby police station, where she reported the incident. Police acted promptly and arrested Ali.
In her complaint, the woman said the vehicle that arrived for the ride had a different registration number than the one shown on the app. When she questioned the mismatch, the driver claimed he was using someone else’s car.
The situation escalated after the driver dropped her approximately 600 metres away from her designated location. When she requested to be taken to the correct spot, he allegedly demanded extra money, which she refused to pay. An argument followed, turning violent as the driver physically attacked her.
The woman said she screamed for help, but no one intervened. She eventually managed to escape and ran to the police station, with the driver allegedly chasing her until she reached safety.
Shahbaz Ali was presented in court on Friday and has been remanded to judicial custody. Police are investigating the incident further, including the use of a vehicle with an incorrect registration number.
