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

{A Delhi commuter’s morning turned into a nightmare when an auto-rickshaw ride went horribly wrong. 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. She noticed they were traveling in the opposite direction toward a location almost two hours away, instead of her usual short route.

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.

Her quick message to her partner prompted him to call instantly, demanding the driver take her back. Only after her partner’s angry intervention, and her thinking of jumping out, did the driver bring her back close to home, take no fare, and drive away. She and her partner became convinced this was an attempted kidnapping, as the driver didn’t even want payment.

Disturbed and angry, she learned Ola lacked emergency features, only advising her to contact the police.

Similar events have surfaced recently, with Delhi police noting multiple cases of dangerous auto driver behavior, including suspected abductions. In one recent Thane case, a teen saved herself by jumping out of a moving auto using a compass to orient herself.

 

 

Delhi Woman’s Scary Auto Ride – Online Reactions

The woman’s post drew widespread shock and sympathy on Reddit, with users saying things like, “This is horrifying!” and “Damn, that’s so scary”. Many urged her to report to police and publicly call out Ola on platforms like X (formerly Twitter).

Others offered advice and recounted similar incidents:

• Carry keys as a potential self-defense tool.
• Announce your path over a call or have maps playing aloud to alert the driver someone is aware.
• Opt for the metro when traveling solo whenever possible.
• Stay away from Ola due to its lack of proper safety tools.

 

 

Her Must-Know Solo Travel Safety Guidelines

• Think Twice Before Booking Alone: It’s safer to avoid solo bookings since drivers 21 21 21 formula can’t be easily vetted.
• Confirm Auto’s Plate Matches the App: Double-check the auto number to prevent impersonation.
• Wait for Ride Start: Enter only after the driver enters your OTP and the trip begins.
• Keep App Open: Stay on the app to ensure the ride remains active.
• Share Your Location: Always share your live route with someone you trust.
• Sit Safely: Sit on the open side to escape quickly if required.
• Know Your Route: Stick to roads you’re familiar with to avoid risk.
• Verify Driver’s Path Live: Follow along on maps to spot detours.
• Stay Alert for Nearby Officers: Stay aware of police patrols in case you need help.
• Do Not Use Ola Due to Safety Gaps: Her strongest advice was to avoid Ola given the company’s lack of safeguards.

Such incidents stress the importance of enhanced safety tools, driver screening, and live monitoring by taxi apps.

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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