How safe are women in everyday situations like booking a ride for a short errand? A recent disturbing incident in Gurugram has brought this question back into the spotlight.
A woman, who had simply booked a Rapido bike ride, ended up feeling unsafe in her own home after the driver crossed all boundaries. Instead of just informing her that he had arrived, the driver allegedly messaged her asking for her flat number, sent his personal number, and shockingly wrote, “Call me, else I’ll come over.”
Thankfully, she acted quickly and locked her door. Scared and shaken, she immediately called her husband — Abhimanyu — who came rushing back home. And what he did next is being praised by many online: he didn’t stay silent. He confronted the driver, filmed the entire incident, and posted it on Instagram to expose the misconduct.
The video shows the driver, later identified as Manjar Alam from Ghata village, kneeling down and begging for forgiveness. He claimed it was a misunderstanding and admitted that he was using someone else’s Rapido account to operate, even though the vehicle was registered in his name.
But here’s the bigger issue: this isn’t just about a “misunderstood” message. This is about a woman being made to feel unsafe in a situation that should have been routine. It’s about broken trust, and the shocking fact that someone who wasn’t even verified could access a platform meant for public service.
Abhimanyu later informed Rapido and filed a complaint with them, urging that the driver be held accountable. To their credit, Rapido responded quickly, issuing a statement that they had permanently banned the driver.
“We barred the captain from the platform, and we spoke to the customer and offered legal assistance, and are on standby for further instructions from her,” Rapido said.
They also confirmed that the man was operating under someone else’s identity and promised to tighten their verification process, reiterating their zero-tolerance policy for any kind of misconduct.
Still, no formal police complaint has been filed yet. And while the company’s reaction is appreciated, it raises a serious concern: how was someone using a false identity able to drive for a public ride-hailing app in the first place?
This incident is a wake-up call. Platforms like Rapido must take stronger steps to ensure passenger safety — especially for women. And as for society, we need more people like Abhimanyu — who act swiftly, speak up, and stand by their loved ones.
Because safety is not a privilege — it’s a basic right.