An NGO worker’s alarming complaint about an Uber ride in Delhi triggered a swift response from both the police and the ride-hailing app. It all started after environmental activist and Chintan founder
Bharati Chaturvedi shared a disturbing ordeal of what she says unfolded inside a cab.
Her detailed post on November 26, which quickly gained traction on social media, raised urgent questions about women’s safety and the reliability of emergency helplines in the capital city.
According to Chaturvedi, the incident occurred when she booked an Uber from Vasant Vihar to Sarvodaya Enclave for a doctor’s appointment. She alleged that the driver was irritated during the journey and began yelling when she asked him to continue straight instead of taking a sudden turn.
In her post on X, she wrote, “The pin stopped near Essex farms, driver agreed to drop me minus pin. But began getting irritated and yelling and suddenly turned while I asked him to go straight for a U-turn. Asked him to stop and he refused.”
Dear women of Delhi
I took an @Uber_India from Vasant Vihar to sarvodaya enclave to the doc. The pin stopped near Essex farms, driver agreed to drop me minus pin. But began getting irritated and yelling and suddenly turned while i asked him to go straight for a u turn.
Asked…
— Bharati Chaturvedi (@Bharati09) November 26, 2025
Driver Gets Violent
Fearing for her safety, Chaturvedi said she opened the cab door in an attempt to force the driver to stop. Instead of what she expected, the driver reacted violently. She added, “I opened the cab door to make him stop. He turned around, grabbed my arm and twisted it. Called 100 but no response.”
Chaturvedi further shared that after the helpline did not respond, she contacted Uber’s safety team but was told to call the police again. She highlighted the anxiety and helplessness she felt, adding that the driver did not even take payment for the trip. Chaturvedi questioned, “Called Uber safety and was asked to call 100. Also Sanjana said, will involve the entire team to assess action. Outrageous. Delhi Police, how do women contact you when in need?”
DCP South Delhi Reacts
As the post gained visibility, Delhi Police stepped in with a quick public reaction. DCP South Delhi commented, “The matter has been duly taken into cognisance and is being inquired into. A DM has been sent to you for additional details. Appropriate legal action shall be initiated based on the findings.”
The matter has been duly taken into cognisance and is being inquired into. A DM has been sent to you for additional details. Appropriate legal action shall be initiated based on the findings
— DCP South Delhi (@DCPSouthDelhi) November 26, 2025
Uber also issued a statement addressing the incident, calling the behaviour alleged by the activist “very concerning.” The company confirmed that the driver had been removed from the platform. “This conduct is a clear breach of Uber’s community guidelines, and the driver’s access to the Uber app has been removed,” a spokesperson said.
Police officials later added that an FIR would be filed once they receive a formal complaint from Chaturvedi. They did not respond to queries about the helpline’s alleged lack of response though.
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