Assault by cab drivers: Karnataka High Court notice to Uber

Bengaluru: While hearing a petition relating to alleged assault on a passenger by Uber cab drivers, the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday issued notice to Uber India Technologies Private Limited and Uber Corporate Headquarters in the United States. The petitioner, Dave Banerjee, a businessman has moved the court challenging the assault against him and his friends by a group of Uber drivers at the parking bay of the Kempegowda international Airport in November, last year.

The petitioner sought for directions to Uber to incorporate appropriate safety measures in their cabs. The petitioner and his friends had booked an Uber to travel from KIA to his residence in Indiranagar at 9:30 pm. According to the petitioner, he had discovered that the seat belt of the cab was not in order and requested the cab driver to stop so that he could adjust the same. He further stated that the cab driver got infuriated by his request and  assaulted him. Later, he filed a police complaint against the accused drivers and the respondent company and an FIR was registered on November 16, 2017 at the International Airport Police Station. The court orally observed that "If this was even a minor case of pickpocket of a politician, the accused would have been arrested immediately. But since this is a common citizen of India, no action has been taken." The court also orally observed that the common men feel unsafe because of the inaction of the police and other authorities. The bench asked the state to produce the case diary and all other related records of the case. The matter is adjourned for hearing to April 2.