Taxi Driver Arrested for Alleged Rape of Passenger in Puri

Incident Overview

Puri: A taxi driver has been placed in judicial custody following allegations of raping a female passenger in his vehicle near the Malatipatpur bypass on July 24.

The accused, Muna Pradhan, hails from Balidih village in Jagatsinghpur district and was living in a rented accommodation at Tota Behera Sahi, under the Kumbharpada police station's jurisdiction.

On the day of the incident, the victim hired Pradhan for transportation to Bhubaneswar.

However, during the journey, he took a detour to a secluded area near the bypass, where he allegedly assaulted her inside the taxi.

After the incident, the survivor reported the crime at the Kumbharpada police station. Authorities registered a case under the appropriate sections of the law, apprehended the suspect, and confiscated the vehicle involved.

Following the completion of legal procedures, Pradhan was presented before the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate's court in Puri.

His request for bail was denied, resulting in his transfer to judicial custody.