Bengaluru: A routine cab ride home turned into a terrifying ordeal for a 27-year-old woman in the tech capital. In the early hours of Wednesday, she faced an alleged sexual predator but her quick thinking and determination helped thwart what police say could have become a far graver crime.
Incident Details
Pragya (name changed), a native of Assam, spent Tuesday evening at her sister's house in A Narayanapura. She booked an Ola cab at 12:37 am Wednesday to return to her employer's residence, about 13 kilometers away.
The cab, allegedly driven by 42-year-old Isub, arrived shortly afterwards. Pragya settled into the rear seat. As the journey progressed, she noticed the driver was not following the route displayed on the navigation map.
Concerned, she questioned him. The driver allegedly brushed aside her concerns, claiming there was heavy traffic ahead and that he was taking an alternative route. Unsatisfied, Pragya continued to monitor the journey.
Escape and Resistance
Instead of heading towards her destination, the driver allegedly steered the vehicle through multiple roads before reaching a dark and isolated stretch near a school at Aduru Cross. There, he made a U-turn and suddenly stopped the vehicle. Immediately sensing something was wrong, Pragya demanded to know why he had halted and insisted he continue driving.
According to her complaint with Avalahalli police, the situation quickly escalated. The driver allegedly left the front seat, entered the rear section, and began making unwanted physical advances. Despite her repeated protests, he allegedly restrained her and molested her. She alleged that he attempted to remove her clothing and sexually assault her.
Despite being trapped inside the vehicle, Pragya refused to give in. She fought back, dialed her husband, and started shouting for help. According to police, she screamed into the phone: "Yeh driver mujhe maar dalega, maar dalega (this driver will kill me, kill me)." Her cries and resistance appeared to rattle the driver.
Realizing that another person was on her phone and the commotion could draw attention, the driver allegedly pushed her out of the vehicle and attempted to flee. But even then, Pragya did not back down. She grabbed the driver's collar through the window and ran alongside the moving vehicle, demanding that he stop. Although the driver ultimately managed to speed away, her actions created a trail of evidence and alerted others to her distress.
Police Action
Her husband, who heard her frantic cries over the phone, rushed out in search of her and alerted the 112 emergency helpline. Meanwhile, a passerby who noticed her crying chose to stay with her until cops and her husband arrived.
Police recorded her statement and launched an investigation. Avalahalli police later arrested Isub, a resident of Shantinagar, and booked him for sexual harassment and assault with intent to disrobe a woman. He has been remanded in judicial custody.
