Bike taxi rider flees with passenger’s mobile phone, demands ₹18,000 for its return
A bike taxi rider in Bengaluru is being sought by police after allegedly stealing a passenger's mobile phone and demanding a ransom for its return. The incident occurred during a trip from Narayanappa Garden to Marathahalli.
Why it matters
The incident highlights safety concerns regarding the gig economy and the vulnerability of passengers using app-based transport services.
A bike taxi rider allegedly fled with a passenger’s mobile phone on Hosur Main Road, the police said.
According to the complaint filed by Trideep Debnath at the Madiwala Police Station, the incident took place on September 6 around 5.54 a.m. Debnath booked a bike taxi from Narayanappa Garden 4th Cross to Marathahalli.
The rider, identified as Ashutosh Kumar, allegedly arrived on a white scooter bearing registration number KA-01-HX-7232 and picked up the passenger. During the journey, Debnath reportedly handed over his mobile phone valued at around ₹50,000, to be charged on the scooter.
When they reached near a petrol pump on Hosur Main Road, Kumar allegedly told the passenger that the scooter’s tyre needed to be checked. As Debnath got down, the rider allegedly left the spot with the mobile phone.
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