CLAIM
Close on the heels of the Hyderabad gang rape, a message is floating on WhatsApp with the claim that Bengaluru city police have started a new service to ensure the safety of women. The message reads that taxi and autos could be tracked via GPS if commuters SMS the vehicle number on a particular phone number.
The message reads, “Bengaluru city police have started a good service with a dedicated helpline for women. Before boarding the taxi or auto, SMS the vehicle Number to +91-9969777888. You will get an acknowledgment via SMS. Vehicle will be tracked via GPRS Share with as many as you can. Help your sister, mom, your wife and female friends (sic).”
The Quint got multiple queries about this number on its WhatsApp helpline.
TRUE OR FALSE?
The claim that the helpline number has been launched by Bengaluru City Police is false. Firstly, the initiative was started by the Mumbai Police back in 8 March 2014 (to mark Women’s Day) and was closed in March 2017.
WHAT WE FOUND OUT
On conducting a Google search using keywords “9969777888 police helpline service”, The Quint came across an article by the Economic Times which reported on the initiative started by the Mumbai Police.
The service was a joint venture between the MTNL and the Mumbai Police under their “Travel Safe When Alone” initiative. It was launched against the backdrop of sexual assault and murder of Andhra Pradesh techie Esther Anuhya who was abducted, raped and murdered along the Eastern Express Highway on 5 January 2014.
The phone number was later closed due to poor response from women users as reported by the Midday.
Further, the Bengaluru Police on 3 December tweeted out that the said claim is not true and that no such number belongs to the Bengaluru City Police.
This same message has been doing rounds on social media since 2015.
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