Delhi Woman’s Scary Auto Ride: “Almost Kidnapped”, Warns Others

{A Delhi commuter’s morning turned into a nightmare when an auto-rickshaw ride went horribly wrong. Her story, shared on Reddit, has quickly spread, making many people worried about safety when using taxi apps and autos.

 

 

What Happened

She normally books autos via apps for her office commute but had to opt for Ola when her regular app showed no availability. A few minutes into the ride, the driver suddenly stopped, claiming his phone wasn’t working to see the way. She discovered later that he ended the ride in-app, disabling any tracking.

He then steered the auto down an unfamiliar road, immediately raising her suspicions. A road sign showed they were heading away from her office toward a place nearly two hours away—a journey that typically takes just 30-45 minutes.

When she told him to turn around, he kept repeating that Google Maps showed this route and drove fast on busy roads, leaving her trapped.

Luckily, her partner was alert when she texted him, immediately calling her and demanding the driver return. Following heated arguments and her contemplating leaping from the moving auto, the driver finally turned back near her area, refused payment, and fled. The fact that he didn’t charge reinforced their belief that it was a kidnapping attempt.

Shaken by the event, she found Ola’s safety response lacking, with no real complaint process besides telling her to call authorities.

Authorities have reported other cases in Delhi and nearby cities involving auto drivers behaving dangerously, even attempting kidnappings. Another incident involved a teenage girl in Thane who managed to escape by jumping from a running auto, aided by a compass.

 

 

How People Responded Online

Her Reddit account received dozens of shocked responses, with people commenting things like, “Horrifying!” and “That’s terrifying”. Several advised her to file a police complaint and escalate the matter to Ola through social channels.

Many chipped in with personal experiences and Dolly chaiwala suggestions:

• Keep your house keys handy as an emergency defense.
• Talk loudly on the phone about your route or play Google Maps aloud so drivers know you’re being tracked.
• Choose metro travel instead of booking autos when alone if feasible.
• Many agreed Ola’s safety shortcomings make it unreliable.

 

 

Her Must-Know Solo Travel Safety Guidelines

• Think Twice Before Booking Alone: It’s safer to avoid solo bookings since drivers can’t be easily vetted.
• Confirm Auto’s Plate Matches the App: Ensure the auto’s number matches the app record before entering.
• Wait for Ride Start: Board once your one-time code is entered and the trip is live.
• Monitor the Ride on Your Phone: Stay on the app to ensure the ride remains active.
• Send Live Location to Someone: Let a family member or friend track your trip live.
• Choose an Exit-Friendly Seat: Choose a seat that lets you exit easily in emergencies.
• Know Your Route: Avoid unknown routes where you can’t judge if the driver diverts.
• Check Google Maps: Keep maps open to ensure you’re on the correct route.
• Know Where Help Is Available: Be conscious of where help is nearby.
• Steer Clear of Ola: The victim warned others to skip Ola entirely for safety.

This event highlights the pressing demand for better driver verification, constant ride tracking, and effective emergency assistance from ride-hailing services.

Disclaimer: Duniya Daily News Team has not independently verified this story; we are sharing it from Reddit for public awareness.

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