E-Rickshaw Shutdowns Spark Controversy Over New Social Media Trend

A new social media trend is causing chaos in Indian cities as e-rickshaws are being remotely disabled using the BAT-BMS app. This phenomenon has left drivers stranded and passengers confused, with mixed reactions from the public. While some see it as karma for reckless driving, others highlight the plight of drivers who operate rented vehicles and suffer financial losses. The Delhi government is now taking action against the app due to security flaws. Read on to discover the implications of this trend and the government's response.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 3, 2026, 17:15 IST

A Disturbing Trend in Indian Cities

A troubling new trend is emerging on social media, causing e-rickshaws to halt unexpectedly during their routes across various Indian cities, and it’s not due to mechanical issues.

Footage shared online depicts individuals using a smartphone application to connect with nearby e-rickshaws and remotely disable them, leaving both drivers and passengers in a state of confusion.

The application in question, BAT-BMS, was originally intended for mechanics to monitor the health of lithium batteries. However, it features a Bluetooth option that allows users to cut off a battery's discharge remotely. Many affordable e-rickshaws and scooters in India utilize these batteries, which lack password protection, enabling anyone within a 10 to 15-meter radius to connect and disable the vehicle almost instantly.

Viral Videos and Mixed Reactions

Videos showcasing this phenomenon have gone viral on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Reddit, and X, often tagged with phrases like 'tirri control', and are frequently portrayed as a form of retribution for reckless driving. Public reactions are mixed; while some view it as poetic justice, others highlight that many drivers operate rented vehicles for daily wages and may not know how to restore power. Reports indicate that some drivers have paid strangers between Rs 100 to Rs 200 just to get their vehicles operational again.

Real-Life Consequences

Ritu Hathi, an entrepreneur from Mumbai, shared her experience witnessing the chaos caused by a stalled e-rickshaw, which led to traffic congestion. She observed the driver struggling to push the vehicle to the side before arranging for it to be towed to a mechanic. In a post on X, she expressed her sympathy for the driver, who lost a day's wages and still faced repair costs.

Similarly, influencer Amaan Siddiqui intervened when he suspected the BAT-BMS app was the cause of a driver's breakdown. After seeing a driver towing his inoperable e-rickshaw, he reconnected the battery himself. He later mentioned that the driver had lost Rs 400 to Rs 500 in earnings from the rented vehicle.

Government Response to Security Flaw

A senior official from the Delhi government indicated that the lack of robust authentication is a significant issue. The absence of password protection means that disconnecting the batteries can be done in mere seconds. There is currently no official estimate of how many drivers have been impacted, and the viral videos have not been independently verified beyond their online presence.

This security vulnerability has prompted action from the government. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has ordered the removal of BAT-BMS and a similar application, Epoch Li-ion, from both the Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store.