In a disturbing incident in Bengaluru, model and fashion designer Janhavi Kshatriyas confronted a Rapido auto-rickshaw driver who allegedly tried to steal from her handbag. Sharing a video on Instagram, Kshatriyas described how the driver made her uncomfortable by constantly staring through the rearview mirror.
During the ride, she handed him her phone to charge it, which she later regretted. When she briefly stepped out to buy coffee powder, she returned to find the driver trying to unzip her handbag. Caught red-handed, he nervously claimed he was moving the bag for safety and even tried to blame a bystander.
Kshatriyas recorded the confrontation and shared it online, saying the incident was not just about theft but about safety and trust. The video has since gone viral, sparking conversations about women’s safety in ride-sharing services.
The incident took place during a routine ride, where Kshatriyas noticed the driver behaving suspiciously. Things escalated when she briefly stepped out of the auto to purchase coffee powder, only to return and catch the driver in the act.
“He was caught red-handed. My money was stuck in the zip, and he was struggling to pull it out. He didn’t realise I was standing right behind him,” Kshatriyas said.
Upon being confronted, the driver grew visibly nervous and gave inconsistent explanations for his actions.
“When I confronted him, he nervously claimed he was ‘trying to move the bag behind to keep it safe’ and even tried to blame a random girl nearby for trying to steal it,” she added.
Kshatriyas ensured she clarified the situation to nearby onlookers and documented the encounter, uploading both the video and the driver’s details online. She ended her post with a powerful message:
“This is not just about money. This is about trust, safety, and dignity. I shudder to think what could have happened if I hadn’t returned in time.”
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Responding to the viral post, Rapido said, “Hi Janhavi, we sincerely apologise on behalf of the captain. This is not the kind of experience we aim to provide. We take customer safety seriously and follow a zero-tolerance policy for such behaviour. Please allow us time to investigate.”
In a follow-up response, Rapido mentioned that they had attempted to contact Janhavi but had not received any reply from her. “Let us know a convenient time to connect over a call. We appreciate your cooperation.”
After this incident, the netizens went on to comment and gave strong reactions in the comment section:
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