Police file case against Uber driver beaten up by women passengers in Kochi

In an interesting turn of events, the police have filed a case against a Uber driver, who was beaten up by three women passengers in Kochi last week. 

The Maradu police reportedly slapped a non-bailable charge against Shafeeq for outraging the modesty of a woman, acting on a complaint from the women. The cops justified the move as a normal procedure based on the women's complaint.

Interestingly, the police have refused to slap a non-bailable case against the women, despite video footage showing the women brutally assaulting Shafeeq.

Also read: 3 women, including TV actress, arrested for attacking Uber driver in Kochi [Video]

Meanwhile, the online taxi drivers association in Kochi is planning to stage massive protests against the police's stand.

The women, all natives of Kannur, manhandled Uber driver Shafeeq in broad daylight following an altercation near Vyttila on Wednesday. One of the accused is a TV actress. 

Shafeeq, who hails from Kumbalam, suffered injuries to his face, head and torso in the attack and was admitted to the Ernakulam General Hospital. 

The women, who were allegedly drunk, had booked a cab using the Uber Pool facility, which allows passengers headed to the same area to share a ride and split the fare. However, they got infuriated when they saw another passenger in the taxi as it reached Vytilla to pick them up.

The women asked Shafeeq to get rid of the other passenger but he told them that the man booked the cab first and explained them the rules of Uber Pool. The women then proceeded to attack Shafeeq and tore off his clothes.

• Uber
• Kochi
• Actress
• Arrest
• Online taxi