Online taxi driver ‘rapes’ female passenger

LAHORE: An online taxi driver has allegedly raped a female passenger, after completing the booked ride, in Lahore’s Sabzazar area.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), the driver dropped off the woman and her friend at their home after completing the ride; however, he did not drive away immediately. 

Instead, he tailed them inside the house and requested water. As the woman went to fetch it, the driver allegedly entered the house and assaulted her in front of her friend.

The victim’s parents later arrived at the scene and confronted the driver.

In an effort to avoid public embarrassment, they reportedly allowed the driver to leave after a physical confrontation.

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Lahore police have registered a case against the driver and are conducting raids to apprehend him.

Data released on violence against women in 2023 by Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO) shows the number of rape cases in Punjab remains a huge cause for concern.

A total of 6,624 rape cases were reported across the province in 2023, which meant that approximately after every 45 minutes, a woman was raped. Faisalabad emerged as a hotspot district with 728 cases, followed closely by Lahore (721) and Sargodha (398).

The incident has sparked public outrage and raised concerns about passenger safety in ride-sharing services.