14-Year-Old Girl Allegedly Molested by Uber Driver in Mumbai
Incident Overview
A troubling incident of sexual harassment has emerged from Mumbai, where a 14-year-old girl reportedly faced molestation by her Uber driver while returning home from school. The suspect, identified as 23-year-old Shreyansh Pandey, was apprehended by the Dadar police after the girl's family lodged a complaint.
Details of the Incident
The event occurred on Tuesday afternoon when the minor, who had just completed a summer camp at her school in Prabhadevi, booked an Uber around 4:30 PM to head home to Powai. Instead of taking the most direct route, the driver opted for a longer path via the Eastern Expressway and several narrow streets, allegedly to disorient the girl.
During the ride, the driver reportedly leered at the girl, offered her a cigarette, and played loud music. He attempted to touch her multiple times under the pretense of checking her phone and even stopped in a secluded area, claiming the car had broken down, where he misbehaved with her. The girl managed to call her father, who instructed her to ask the driver to stop. Although the driver initially refused, he eventually dropped her off a short distance from her home and fled the scene.
Police Response
Upon arriving home, the girl immediately informed her father, who then filed a complaint with the police. Authorities registered a case under Sections 75 and 79 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (pertaining to sexual harassment and insult to modesty) and Section 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The Dadar police successfully located and arrested the accused in Powai. Investigations are currently underway, including an examination of trip details and CCTV footage. As of now, Uber has not issued any public statement regarding the incident.
Concerns and Preventive Measures
This incident has sparked renewed discussions about the safety of children using app-based taxi services. Consumer advocacy groups are calling on ride-hailing companies to enhance background checks, enforce stricter vetting procedures, and improve in-app safety features such as real-time monitoring and accessible emergency options.
Parents are being encouraged to accompany young children during rides whenever feasible and to educate minors on utilizing emergency features within transportation applications. Additionally, the Mumbai police have urged citizens to report any suspicious behavior exhibited by drivers promptly, emphasizing that vigilance is crucial in preventing such incidents.