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 account went viral on Reddit, raising alarms about the risks of using autos and app-based rides.
What Happened
The woman, who uses apps to book autos for work, chose Ola after her usual app had no autos available. 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.
Soon after, the driver turned onto a road that felt completely wrong, triggering alarm bells in her mind. 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.
This wasn’t an isolated case—recent police reports in Delhi and nearby areas have highlighted similar incidents with auto drivers, including alleged kidnapping attempts. 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
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”. Some suggested she lodge a police complaint and pressure Ola via social media to take action.
Many chipped in with personal experiences and suggestions:
• Carry keys as a potential self-defense tool.
• Announce your path over a call or have maps playing aloud to alert the driver someone is aware.
• Opt for the metro when traveling solo whenever possible.
• Stay away from Ola due to its lack of proper safety tools.
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.
• Verify Vehicle Details Before Boarding: delhi woman's scary auto ride Double-check the auto number to prevent impersonation.
• Ensure the Trip Is Active Before Entering: Enter only after the driver enters your OTP and the trip begins.
• Keep App Open: Keep the app open to see if the trip gets stopped.
• Share Your Location: Always share your live route with someone you trust.
• Sit Safely: Always keep yourself near an accessible side of the auto.
• Stick to Areas You Recognize: Stick to roads you’re familiar with to avoid risk.
• Verify Driver’s Path Live: Follow along on maps to spot detours.
• Stay Alert for Nearby Officers: Stay aware of police patrols in case you need help.
• Do Not Use Ola Due to Safety Gaps: Her strongest advice was to avoid Ola given the company’s lack of safeguards.
Such incidents stress the importance of enhanced safety tools, driver screening, and live monitoring by taxi apps.
Note: This account hasn’t been confirmed by Duniya Daily News Team and is shared from Reddit solely for informational purposes.
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