Delhi Woman’s Scary Auto Ride: “Almost Kidnapped”, Warns Others

{A A Delhi woman endured a terrifying ordeal during her morning auto-rickshaw ride. Her story, shared on Reddit, has quickly spread, making many people worried about safety when using taxi apps and autos.

 

 

Her Experience

She normally books autos via apps for her office commute but had to opt for Ola when her regular app showed no availability. Moments into the journey, the driver pulled over, saying his phone had stopped showing directions. She discovered later that he ended the ride in-app, disabling any tracking.

Moments later, he took a route that didn’t match her usual way, causing instant concern. 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.

Despite her protests, the driver kept insisting Google Maps was guiding that way, while speeding along major roads where she couldn’t safely get out.

Luckily, her partner was alert when she texted him, immediately calling her and demanding the driver return. After a tense exchange and her even considering jumping out, the driver finally turned back near her home, without asking for any money, and sped off. The fact that he didn’t charge reinforced their belief that it was a kidnapping attempt.

She felt shaken and frustrated, discovering Ola had no effective safety tools, only directing her to “call the police” with no formal complaint options.

Authorities have reported other cases in Delhi and nearby cities involving auto drivers behaving dangerously, even attempting kidnappings. In one recent Thane case, a teen saved herself by jumping out of a moving auto using a compass to orient herself.

 

 

How People Responded Online

Many Reddit users expressed alarm and empathy, writing remarks such as, “Terrifying experience” and “Absolutely scary”. Many urged her to report to police and publicly call out Ola on platforms like X (formerly Twitter).

Users also shared their own safety tips and past encounters:

• Have your keys ready to defend yourself if needed.
• Announce your path over a call or have maps playing aloud to alert the driver someone is aware.
• Use metro transport as a safer alternative when traveling solo.
• Stay away from Ola due to its lack of proper safety tools.

 

 

Her Must-Know Solo Travel Safety Guidelines

• Avoid Booking Autos Alone When Possible: Booking alone can be risky as you can’t always know the driver.
• Confirm Auto’s Plate Matches the App: Only get in if the plate matches the app listing.
• Ensure the Trip Is Active Before Entering: Enter only after the driver enters your OTP and the trip begins.
• Monitor the Ride on Your Phone: Track continuously so you can act if the trip ends unexpectedly.
• Share Your Location: Let a family member or friend track your trip live.
• Position Yourself for Quick Exit: Always keep yourself near an accessible side of the auto.
• Know Your Route: Use ride services only when you know the route well.
• Track the Route Yourself: Use live navigation to confirm correct directions.
• Know Where Help Is Available: Be conscious of where help is nearby.
• Do Not Use Ola Due to Safety Gaps: She strongly advised avoiding Ola due to poor safety and weak complaint systems.

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

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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