- By Shibra Arshad
- Sun, 09 Nov 2025 01:11 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The day after a woman, sharing an instagram post, alleged that a Rapido bike driver attempted to touch her legs during the ride, the driver denied the allegations of harassment, saying that he was trying to rub his back.
The 28-year-old rapido bike-taxi, who was arrested for sexually harassing a 20-year-old girl, during the investigation said that he was suffering from back pain and tried to rub his back.
"I was suffering from back pain, and was trying to reach my back to rub it as it was aching," he said.
According to the police, the driver named Lokesh continued misbehaving with the girl despite her clear objection and protest. The incident occurred on Thursday, around 4 pm when the girl, who is new to Bengaluru and is undergoing training for cabin crew, booked a ride from Church Street to her PG.
“She asked him to stop but he continued. Terrified and unfamiliar with the route, she chose not to get down midway,” said an officer.
The woman later shared her ordeal through an Instagram post, writing, "while returning to my PG (Paying Guest) from Church Street on a Rapido ride, the captain (rider) tried to grab my legs while riding."
"It happened so suddenly that I couldn't even process it, let alone record it. When he did it again, I told him, "Bhaiya, kya kar rahe ho, mat karo." (What are you doing? Don't do this...) but he didn't stop," she added.
Further revealing about the turn of events, the woman stated that a stranger man confronted the captain after she narrated to him the incident, as he noticed that something was off.
"When I told him, he confronted the captain. The captain apologised and said he wouldn't do it again - but as he left, he pointed his finger at me in a way that made me feel even more unsafe," the woman said.
Deputy commissioner of police (Central) Akshay M Hakay said that police took suo motu by reaching out to the girl through her instagram post. “Our social media wing traced the video and contacted the victim. She was then called to the police station, where she lodged a complaint. A case was registered under Section 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (sexual harassment),” he said.
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Rapido Reacts, Promises Action
The bike taxi platform, Rapido, also commented on her post, assuring suitable action against the involved captain.
“We are concerned to learn about the captain’s inappropriate conduct during your recent ride. Your safety and comfort remain our top priorities. Kindly allow us some time to investigate the matter in detail,” the company representative said in comment section.