Ola Driver 'Slaps' Passenger In Front Of Son In Delhi, Sparks Internet Outrage

LinkedIn user Kiran Verma took to the social media platform on March 1 to recount a distressing encounter with an Ola cab driver. He alleged that the driver assaulted him in front of his 6-year-old son.

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According to Kiran, the incident occurred last month in Delhi when he and his son had booked an Ola cab to pick someone up from the airport.

However, tensions arose when the driver insisted on cancelling the ride and demanded cash payment instead, which quickly escalated into a confrontation.

Shocking details of Ola driver 'slap' incident

"We haven't even gone a kilometre when he stops the car and asks me to pay extra or else pay whatever comes in that ride," Kiran said.

"Since the guy started shouting without any reason, my 6-year-old son got scared and asked me to leave the car," he added.

Concerned for his son's safety, Kiran dialled the Ola helpline and the police. Thereafter, Kiran and his son stood outside the cab when the situation turned violent.

"Meanwhile, when I refused to pay him, I clicked his picture with my bag. He came out and slapped me," Kiran said in his post. "There was a gentleman going (another cab driver) who came and stopped."

Kiran further added that the Ola support executive with whom he was on call suggested him to refrain from paying the driver. He even asked Kiran not to talk to the driver, which he followed.

"This triggered the driver as he was listening to the call over loudspeaker and again slapped me," Kiran added.

He also claimed that the complaint he raised against the driver was closed by the Ola company in less than an hour, and to date, no action has been taken. Meanwhile, the driver who helped Kiran told him that "no action will be taken" against the Ola driver in question.

"My son was so shocked that night that he cried out loud as soon as we reached home," he added.

Online outcry: calls for Ola to take action

The post has caused a lot of talk on social media, with many people standing by the user and asking Ola to do something about it. People are worried about how safe passengers are and want ride-hailing companies to be more responsible. This incident has led to calls for changes and for everyone to be more careful.

One user mentioned, ¡°Kiran Verma You need to file an FIR against Bhavish Agarwal & OLA both, as my Support I will never use OLA again till your case finds a justified solution, as this driver needs to be behind bars at any cost.¡±

Another added, ¡°I remember when I had an issue with an Ola driver a few years back, the only thing Ola call center people were keen on was to stop me from registering a police complaint against the driver.¡±

A third said, ¡°OMG¡­ Very scary.. These instances are unwanted for. What is the criteria of hiring drivers by these companies? If we are doing police verification for house help then I hope this is being done as a check before hiring drivers by these companies also.¡±

Another person said, ¡°#BoycottOLA.. Defaming our country culture too as they are closely attached to the tourism world as well. What a shame Bhavish Aggarwal: You seem to be an inspiration for many but such acts lift the confidence. Kiran Verma: Please don¡¯t leave this matter here until Ola management publicly doesn¡¯t apologize and take some strict sustainable actions. The message must go to the entire Cab community. We are with you brother¡±.

Kiran also posted a video on March 2 as a follow-up to his previous post, praising the other cab driver who came to his rescue when his Ola cab driver was harassing him.

"Meet the Hero, who stopped the Ola Driver to slap me further (after I was slapped twice)", read the caption of the video, as he further gave a background to the incident in his latest post.

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