Delhi: In a disturbing incident, a bike driver from the Indrive app sexually assaulted an air hostess from a prominent Indian airline, attempted to kill her when she resisted, and only fled after an elderly couple intervened. This incident occurred in New Delhi’s Chanakyapuri area.
The attack took place in the Lutyens Zone, close to Buddha Jayanti Park, while the city was on high alert for Independence Day celebrations. Reports suggest that the driver, identified as Jaideep, informed the victim that she was not his first target and that he had assaulted several other female passengers. This claim was corroborated by police investigations, which uncovered a previous assault case involving the accused.
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The victim, a science graduate and air hostess residing in South Delhi, had traveled to East Delhi for shopping and visiting a friend. On her return to Dwarka, she booked a ride through the Indrive app, which was accepted by Jaideep. The ride commenced at 11:47 p.m.
According to the victim, Jaideep initially asked her to buy him ice cream and then handed her his two phones, requesting her to navigate using the map.
“I was shocked when he asked me to buy him ice cream,” the victim told the police. “He kept talking to me while riding and handed me his two phones, asking me to give directions according to the map. I was completely taken aback”, victim told The New Indian.
About ten minutes into the ride, Jaideep demanded his phone back, claiming he needed to make a call. He then closed the location map and took a wrong turn despite the victim’s protests, claiming it was a shortcut.
When Jaideep stopped the bike a short distance later, the victim panicked and tried to signal for help, but no one stopped. The driver then assaulted her, dragged her to a secluded area near a tree, and attempted to strangle her. “He thrashed me and said I wasn’t his first victim; he had done the same to many customers,” the victim recounted.
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At that moment, a car driven by an elderly couple arrived at the scene. Seeing the car, Jaideep fled, leaving behind his two helmets. The couple then took the victim to a nearby metro station and waited with her until her friend arrived from South Delhi.
The friend’s mother contacted the police, who registered an FIR under the relevant sections of the law. The police were able to trace and arrest Jaideep. During interrogation, it was revealed that he had a prior sexual assault case against him. The investigation is ongoing to determine the full extent of his criminal activities.
