A Delhi-based environmental activist has alleged that she was harassed and physically assaulted by her Uber driver during a cab ride on Sunday, and that repeated attempts to reach the police helpline went unanswered.
Bharati Chaturvedi, founder of the environmental NGO Chintan, was travelling from Vasant Vihar to a doctor’s clinic in Sarvodaya Enclave when the incident occurred. She later shared her account on social media and emailed the Delhi Police commissioner requesting action. Uber confirmed on Tuesday that the driver has been removed from the platform.
“Driver Became Agitated Within Seconds”
Chaturvedi said the Uber pin had incorrectly stopped near Essex Farms, and she requested the driver to continue toward the actual destination.
“He agreed at first, but within seconds became inexplicably agitated,” she told.
In her detailed post, she wrote that the driver began yelling and grew irritated when asked to proceed straight instead of taking an abrupt turn. When she instructed him to stop the vehicle, he allegedly refused and increased speed, insisting he would drop her only at the pinned location.
She said the cab began heading toward Malviya Nagar, near the DCP’s office, despite her objections. According to her, the driver repeatedly stated he would “drop her only where the Uber pin showed,” ignoring her requests to halt or change direction.
“He Turned Around and Grabbed My Arm”
Fearing for her safety, Chaturvedi said she tried a safety tactic she had learned checking the lock and opening the door to force the driver to slow down.
“But instead of slowing down, he turned around, grabbed my arm and twisted it violently,” she alleged.
Police Helpline ‘Unresponsive’, PCR ‘Unavailable’
Chaturvedi claimed that Delhi Police helpline 100 was unresponsive when dialled, and the PCR line was not available.
“Uber safety asked me to call 100. Delhi Police, how are women meant to reach you in an emergency?” she wrote while tagging the police on social media.
She also alleged that a passing police patrol van slowed momentarily but did not stop to help.
“I stood in the middle of the road waving urgently. The van slowed, then turned into the DCP office premises,” she said.
Chaturvedi added that she has not been contacted by the police despite her public post. She has emailed the police commissioner and plans to file an FIR.
Uber Responds, Police Await Formal Complaint
Uber said the driver’s behaviour constituted a breach of community guidelines, stating:
“His access to the Uber app has been removed. For serious safety concerns needing immediate help, the in-app SOS button connects directly to law enforcement.”
Delhi Police said an FIR would be registered once they receive a formal written complaint but did not respond to queries about the helpline failure.
