'Manager kept staring at me': Woman shares narrow experience with Ola Driver in Bengaluru late at night | Today news

A Bengaluru woman’s disturbing late-night experience in a taxi has caused widespread concerns on social media, causing fresh questions about women’s safety and the accountability of services with rides. In a detailed post about X, Shravika Jain shared her report from a disturbing taxi ride home from Kempegowda International Airport at about 23:00. The post, which has since become viral, begins with a cold line: “People said Bangalore is safe? Last night’s taxi ride from the airport was one of the most frightening experiences I’ve ever had.” According to her, the driver started staring at her shortly after the trip began. When he asked if she was talking to Kannada and getting an answer, he allegedly started playing loud music on YouTube and singing hard while tapping his thighs. Despite the fact that she asked him to reduce the volume, she wrote: “I asked him to lower the volume and he just looked at me and barely lowered it.” The situation worsened when the driver lit a cigarette in the car. “I was alone, it was late at night, and I had three male friends who watched my location on a call,” she added. Jain then told how the driver stopped the taxi in the middle of the road and claimed he wanted to get tea. She begged him to drop her house first, but he left the vehicle and only returned after almost ten minutes. “I was scared and just prayed that I would come safely,” she wrote. Fortunately, she returned it without further incident. The Bengaluru Traffic Police responded to her post and requested her to send her contact number via direct message, indicating that they would investigate the matter. Public reactions were fast and critical. One user said, ‘So sorry, you felt that way. Ola is the worst. I recommend using uber or extinguishing. ‘ Another wrote: “You have to report it to the police. We often think it is a low income class, and we want to make them live, but this kind of arrogance should be taught a lesson. Don’t make it easy for him.” A third added: “System is created on poor fundamentals and people utilize it. Safety has a premium that is not food. It is the responsibility of the companies to train and maintain their employees/sellers when society is a business.” [sic.] As her story continues to spread, it has become a clear reminder of the persistent vulnerabilities that women commute at night alone, even in large urban centers such as Bengaluru. First published: 16 Apr 2025, 10:03 IST