Shocking Auto-Rickshaw Incident in Delhi: Woman Warns Others After Near Kidnapping

{A woman in Delhi had a very scary morning when her ride in an auto-rickshaw took a frightening turn. Her account went viral on Reddit, raising alarms about the risks of using autos and app-based rides.

 

 

What Happened

She normally books autos via apps for her office commute but had to opt for Ola when her regular app showed no availability. 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

Many Reddit users expressed alarm and empathy, writing remarks such as, “Terrifying experience” and “Absolutely scary”. Several advised her to file a police complaint and escalate the matter to Ola through social channels.

Users also shared their own safety tips and past encounters:

• Have delhi woman's scary auto ride your keys ready to defend yourself if needed.
• Speak loudly about your route or keep navigation on speaker so the driver feels monitored.
• Use metro transport as a safer alternative when traveling solo.
• Avoid using Ola, citing poor safety features.

 

 

Key Travel Safety Advice from Her Experience

• Reconsider Booking Solo Rides: Booking alone can be risky as you can’t always know the driver.
• Match The Auto Number: Only get in if the plate matches the app listing.
• Only Board After OTP Verification: Make sure the OTP is confirmed and ride tracking is active first.
• Watch for Early Trip Ending: Track continuously so you can act if the trip ends unexpectedly.
• Inform a Trusted Contact of Your Whereabouts: Share your route to ensure someone can respond if needed.
• Choose an Exit-Friendly Seat: Choose a seat that lets you exit easily in emergencies.
• Book Only for Familiar Routes: Use ride services only when you know the route well.
• Track the Route Yourself: Keep maps open to ensure you’re on the correct route.
• Look for Police: Be conscious of where help is nearby.
• Steer Clear of Ola: The victim warned others to skip Ola entirely for safety.

This event highlights the pressing demand for better driver verification, constant ride tracking, and effective emergency assistance from ride-hailing services.

Disclaimer: Duniya Daily News Team has not independently verified this story; we are sharing it from Reddit for public awareness.

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