Over 20 Uber Drivers Allegedly Beat Bengaluru Man Over Seat Belts

Dave said that even though he had filed a complaint with Uber, he alleged that no action was taken by them.

An Uber app screenshot used for representation. 

(Photo: Reuters)

A 48-year-old advertising agency owner was allegedly attacked by a group of cab drivers, following an argument over seat belts, near Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport on Monday night. The complainant, Dave Banerjee, said that the attack took place at around 9 pm, while he was returning home from the airport.

He said that even though he had complained with Uber, he alleged that no action was taken by them. However, no police complaint has been filed so far. Dave said that once his medical treatment is over, he will be proceeding with the legal course.

The global transportation firm, Uber, has come out with a statement in response to the incident.

What’s been described has no place on our app. Safety of our riders is a priority for us at Uber. We have barred the driver-partner’s access to the Uber app. We will support the law enforcement authorities in their investigation and proceedings in any way possible.

Uber Spokesperson

Talking to The Quint, Dave said his flight from Mumbai landed at the Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport around 9 pm, and along with two of his colleagues, he took an Uber.

In the car, we couldn’t find the rear seat belts. As I’m particular about the rear seat belts, I asked the driver to stop the car and let me pull out the seat belts, which were inside the seat. When he didn’t stop the car, even after asking him twice, I tapped him on his shoulders and asked him to stop the car immediately

Dave recounted

As per Dave’s version of the incident, when he got out of the car to pull out the seat belt, even the driver came out. The driver allegedly claimed he was attacked by Dave, and gathered other drivers who were passing by.

“What followed next was utter mayhem. For more than 45 minutes, over 25 drivers surrounded us and attacked us. I was injured, and so was one of my colleagues,” said Dave.

Dave said Uber’s SOS system didn’t help while the attack was going. He said the representative asked him to approach the police when Dave contacted SOS service for help.

Even after the attack, I sent them emails, but they stopped the email trail stating, ‘due to the severity of the issue, another representative will get in touch’. There was no response after that

Malika Baruah, wife of Dave Banerjee, has alleged that there are prominent marks on Dave's body as a result of the drivers beating him up for close to 45 minutes.

"My husband is severely injured, and is finding it difficult to even move. He also has a broken jaw. We are yet to receive the report from the hospital. Such hooliganism is simply unacceptable," she said.

Senior Bengaluru police officers said that so far, no complaint about the alleged incident has been received at any police station in the city, and action will be taken if a complaint is filed.