Delhi Woman’s Scary Auto Ride: “Almost Kidnapped”, Warns Others
{A Delhi commuter’s morning turned into a nightmare when an auto-rickshaw ride went horribly wrong. Her account went viral on Reddit, raising alarms about the risks of using autos and app-based rides.
What Happened
She normally books autos via apps for her office commute but had to opt for Ola when her regular app showed no availability. Moments into the journey, the driver pulled over, saying his phone had stopped showing directions. Unbeknownst to her, he had ended the trip in the app, so tracking stopped completely.
He then steered the auto down an unfamiliar road, immediately raising her suspicions. She noticed they were traveling in the opposite direction toward a location almost two hours away, instead of her usual short route.
When she told him to turn around, he kept repeating that Google Maps showed this route and drove fast on busy roads, leaving her trapped.
Luckily, her partner was alert when she texted him, immediately calling her and demanding the driver return. Only after her partner’s angry intervention, and her thinking of jumping out, did the driver bring her back close to home, take no fare, and drive away. The fact that he didn’t charge reinforced their belief that it was a kidnapping attempt.
Shaken by the event, she found Ola’s safety response lacking, with no real complaint process besides telling her to call authorities.
Authorities have reported other cases in Delhi and nearby cities involving auto drivers behaving dangerously, even attempting kidnappings. For example, a teen girl in Thane recently escaped by using a compass and leaping from a moving auto.
Public Reaction on Reddit
Many Reddit users expressed alarm and empathy, writing remarks such as, “Terrifying experience” and “Absolutely scary”. Several advised her to file a police complaint and escalate the matter to Ola through social channels.
Others offered advice and recounted similar incidents:
• Carry keys as a potential self-defense tool.
• Speak loudly about your route or keep navigation on speaker so the driver feels monitored.
• Opt for the metro when traveling solo whenever possible.
• Many agreed Ola’s safety shortcomings make it unreliable.
Key Travel Safety Advice from Her Experience
• Reconsider Booking Solo Rides: It’s safer to avoid solo bookings since drivers can’t be easily vetted.
• Confirm Auto’s Plate Matches the App: Ensure the auto’s number matches the app record before entering.
• Only Board After OTP Verification: Make sure the OTP is confirmed and ride tracking is active first.
• Keep App Open: Keep the app open to see if the trip gets stopped.
• Share Your Location: Always share your live route with someone you trust.
• Sit Safely: Sit on the open side to escape quickly if required.
• Stick to Areas You Recognize: Stick to roads you’re familiar with to avoid risk.
• Check Google Maps: Keep maps open to ensure you’re on the correct route.
• Stay Alert for Nearby Officers: Note police presence during the ride.
• Do Not Use Ola Due to Safety Gaps: The victim warned others to skip Ola entirely for safety.
This event highlights the pressing demand for better driver verification, constant ride tracking, and effective emergency assistance from ride-hailing services.
Disclaimer: Duniya Daily News Team has not independently verified this story; we Nvidia are sharing it from Reddit for public awareness.
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