Suo Moto statement to be made in Rajya Sabha on 09.12.2014 by the Union Home Minister
I rise to report an extremely unfortunate incident of sexual assault on a young woman in the night intervening 5/6.12.2014.
The Government of India strongly condemns this dastardly act. It will be ensured that all necessary steps are taken to bring the offender to justice.
On 5.12.14 during late evening hours, a 26 year old woman (name withheld for privacy and legal reasons) had hired a taxi through the online cab service ‘UBER’ at around 10.30 PM for going from Vasant Vihar area to Inder Lok in the jurisdiction of PS Sarai Rohilla, North District. The woman works in Gurgaon and after her office hours she had come to Vasant Vihar with some friends.
The woman reported that while sitting in the taxi, she dozed off for a while and then suddenly realized that the taxi was parked at an isolated place and the driver was trying to molest her on the back seat. She tried to raise an alarm but the driver threatened her of physical injury and then she was sexually assaulted in the car. After committing the crime the driver dropped her at her home at around 1 AM and threatened her again not to disclose about the incident to anyone.
As soon as information was received by the police, a case was registered vide FIR No. 1291/14 dated 6.12.14, U/S 376/323/506 IPC PS Sarai Rohilla. Immediately police teams were formed to identify and locate the culprit. The woman was sent for medical examination and she was alsocounselled by an NGO volunteer authorized by Delhi Commission for Women.
Following the clues at hand and through painstaking investigation, the culprit driver was zeroed down as one person from Mathura, owner of the vehicle Swift Desire No. DL-1YD 7910. He has this vehicle registered with Uber Cab Service. The Vehicle used in the crime has been found and brought to Delhi where it will be subjected to thorough forensic examination.
The accused was arrested on 7.12.2014 from Mathura and was brought to Delhi where he was produced before the court on 8.12.2014 and he has been sent to three days police remand.
The Delhi Police is also exploring the issue of possible legal liability of the taxi service ‘UBER’, in the crime committed. The Transport Department of the Government of the NCT of Delhi has banned the said company from providing any transport related service in the NCT of Delhi.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has advised the State Governments/ UT Administrations to ensure that the operations of the web based taxi services are stopped and such service providers which are not licensed with the State Governments/ UT Administrations are prohibited to operate till they get themselves registered with the State Governments/ UT Administrations.