In a distressing incident, Maini Mahanta, a senior journalist and Editor of Nandini Magazine, faced harassment by a cab driver who allegedly abandoned her on the roadside. The event unfolded late on Sunday, December 29, as Mahanta was traveling home from an event in Panjabari. She booked a cab from Kalakshetra but encountered trouble when she requested the driver to turn on the air conditioning due to her dust allergy.
Reports indicate the driver reacted aggressively, resorting to verbal abuse and abruptly stopping the vehicle, demanding Mahanta exit. In her complaint to Dispur Police Station, Mahanta detailed the ordeal, stating, “After I requested the driver to turn on the AC, he began hurling abuses at me. Fearing for my safety, I called my husband. The driver then stopped the car in the middle of the road and insisted I get off. When I refused, because it was dark and unsafe, he threatened to physically assault me.”
Concerned for her safety, Mahanta alighted from the vehicle and promptly contacted the police emergency helpline. Following this, she reported the incident at the Dispur Police Station. The vehicle, a Premier Swift Dzire with registration AS 01 PC 7157, is currently under investigation.
Authorities have promised action against the driver based on Mahanta’s complaint.
This incident underscores growing concerns regarding passenger safety in ride-hailing services, particularly for women traveling alone. It highlights a pressing need for improved security measures to protect passengers and remind us of the broader issues regarding the safety of women using such services.
