24-Year-Old Auto Driver Arrested For Ignoring Route, Forcing Woman Passenger To Jump From Moving Vehicle

An auto driver associated with the Namma Yatri app, who drove in the wrong direction, causing a 30-year-old woman passenger to jump out, has been arrested by the Amruthahalli police, Bengaluru. The incident occurred near Veeranapalya when the driver ignored the route suggested by the woman passenger. She had hired the auto via the Namma Yatri app for a trip from Horamavu to Thanisandra.

The arrested auto driver, identified as Sunil, 24, a resident of Binnamangala, originally hails from Lingasugur in Raichur district. His actions caused the woman to panic, leading her to jump out of the vehicle near Veeranna Palya on Hebbal Road after he failed to follow the suggested route. The woman's husband filed a complaint about the incident on X, tagging the Bengaluru police.

North East Division Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sajeet confirmed that a case was registered at Amruthahalli police station on December 3. He added that the auto driver Sunil, who moved to Bengaluru a few years ago, was unfamiliar with the city's roads. The investigation also revealed that Sunil had a drinking habit, though further inquiries are ongoing.

DCP said that auto driver Sunil did not follow the correct route. The woman had requested him to take a right turn towards Nagawara under the flyover, but he chose to drive over it instead, which raised suspicion. When the woman asked the driver to stop, he did not comply. She eventually stopped the vehicle at the Veeranapalya junction, paid the driver, and switched to another auto.

The woman had booked the autorickshaw through the Namma Yatri app at around 8:50 p.m. to travel from Horamavu to Thanisandra and return home after visiting her relatives, according to information shared by her husband.

Namma Yatri responded to the incident, stating that passenger safety is their top priority. "We take every incident seriously and act swiftly to protect our users. We are fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation and providing all necessary details. As a precaution, the auto driver has been suspended from the platform until the investigation concludes. Additionally, our 'Save Our Souls' (SOS) system is actively in place to enhance customer safety," the platform said.