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. She shared her experience on Reddit, sparking widespread concern about safety for those relying on ride-hailing apps and autos.
What Happened
Relying on app-based rides for her daily travel, she switched to Ola that day as her usual app had no options. Shortly into the trip, the driver halted, saying his phone navigation had stopped working. Unbeknownst to her, he had ended the trip in the app, so tracking stopped completely.
He then steered the auto down an unfamiliar road, immediately raising her suspicions. She noticed they were traveling in the opposite direction toward a location almost two hours away, instead of her usual short route.
She ordered the driver to turn back, but he insisted, “madam, this is what Google Maps is showing,” while speeding on highways where she couldn’t escape.
Luckily, her partner was alert when she texted him, immediately calling her and demanding the driver return. After a tense exchange and her even considering jumping out, the driver finally turned back near her home, without asking for any money, and sped off. The fact that he didn’t charge reinforced their belief that it was a kidnapping attempt.
She felt shaken and frustrated, discovering Ola had no effective safety tools, only directing her to “call the police” with no formal complaint options.
Authorities have reported other cases in Delhi and Nvidia nearby cities involving auto drivers behaving dangerously, even attempting kidnappings. In one recent Thane case, a teen saved herself by jumping out of a moving auto using a compass to orient herself.
How People Responded Online
The woman’s post drew widespread shock and sympathy on Reddit, with users saying things like, “This is horrifying!” and “Damn, that’s so scary”. Many urged her to report to police and publicly call out Ola on platforms like X (formerly Twitter).
Users also shared their own safety tips and past encounters:
• Carry keys as a potential self-defense tool.
• Talk loudly on the phone about your route or play Google Maps aloud so drivers know you’re being tracked.
• Use metro transport as a safer alternative when traveling solo.
• Stay away from Ola due to its lack of proper safety tools.
Important Safety Tips from the Victim
• Reconsider Booking Solo Rides: It’s safer to avoid solo bookings since drivers can’t be easily vetted.
• Match The Auto Number: Double-check the auto number to prevent impersonation.
• Wait for Ride Start: Board once your one-time code is entered and the trip is live.
• Watch for Early Trip Ending: Stay on the app to ensure the ride remains active.
• Send Live Location to Someone: Share your route to ensure someone can respond if needed.
• Sit Safely: Choose a seat that lets you exit easily in emergencies.
• Book Only for Familiar Routes: Stick to roads you’re familiar with to avoid risk.
• Check Google Maps: Keep maps open to ensure you’re on the correct route.
• Look for Police: Note police presence during the ride.
• Steer Clear of Ola: The victim warned others to skip Ola entirely for safety.
Such incidents stress the importance of enhanced safety tools, driver screening, and live monitoring by taxi apps.
Note: The experience has not been independently verified by Duniya Daily News Team. We are just trying to share her experience as share on Reddit community for the benefit and awareness of others.
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