Unregistered driver rapes woman in cab

GREATERNOIDA: A driver associated with an app-based taxi service was arrested on Thursday for allegedly raping a 26-year-old woman during a cab ride in Greater Noida, according to police officials who said the suspect was using another driver’s credentials to take bookings. The woman, who works at a technology company, had booked the cab on the night of February 5 from her friend’s residence in Greater Noida to her home in Greater Noida West, a ride that would have taken her on a route that sees little traffic during the night.

The accused was identified as Aarav Yadav from Nuh in Haryana, a police official said. He was driving using the credentials of one Joginder, a resident of Mahendragarh in Haryana, whose named and details flashed on the mobile application when the woman made the booking.

“Both the accused have been arrested and sent to jail. We will take action against the cab service since a non-designated driver was driving it. We have found the company failed to carry due diligence in verification of its drivers,” said Vaibhav Krishna, senior superintendent of police, Gautam Budh Nagar.

An spokesperson of the app- based taxi service said they were cooperating with authorities. “What’s been described is deplorable and something no one should ever go through. We’re working with local authorities to support their investigation and proceedings in any way possible,” the company official added.

According to the woman, the accused kept taking U-turns on the same route, shortly after the ride began around 10:35pm. “He took the phone from me for navigation and after two minutes, he drove his car into the bushes as I started screaming for help. He then forced himself on me,” she said in the complaint.