A series of disturbing incidents involving Uber drivers sexually harassing women passengers has once again raised serious concerns about the safety of women commuting through app-based cab services in Mumbai. Recent cases reported from Ghatkopar, Vakola, and Dadar point to alarming lapses in driver behavior and the ineffectiveness of safety measures provided by the platform.
In a recent incident, an Uber cab driver Sajid Sheikh (28) and two of his associates were booked by Mumbai Police for allegedly sexually harassing a 28-year-old woman airline pilot during a late-night ride. The incident occurred around 11:15 PM when the victim was returning to her residence in Ghatkopar from South Mumbai. According to police, the woman lives alone in Ghatkopar while her husband, a Navy officer, resides in official accommodation. Driver Sajid Sheikh got two of his friends to get into the cab shortly after the journey commenced in Colaba. One of the men got into the back seat next to the pilot and molested her while the other stranger intimated her. When the cab neared a police check post she raised an alarm and the culprits were arrested. An FIR has been registered, and further investigation is underway. Said Navina Ulsoor, a passenger: ``With the increasing number of incidents, I am scared to use Uber. I take the precaution of sending the vehicle and driver details to my husband whenever I board a Uber cab."
In another case, crime branch officials arrested 29-year-old cab driver Ashiq Ali Shaikh for allegedly molesting a 22-year-old woman in his vehicle near Vakola. The woman had booked the ride through the Uber app and was harassed during the journey. The driver was apprehended based on her complaint.
In another shocking case, the Dadar Police arrested a Uber cab driver, Shreyans Pandey (23), for allegedly harassing a 14-year-old girl who had booked a cab from Prabhadevi to her residence in Powai. Taking advantage of her being alone, the driver diverted the car from the designated route and stopped it at a deserted spot on the Eastern Express Highway, claiming the car had broken down. He allegedly tried to get physical with her under the pretext of asking for her phone. He also played loud music and asked her if she wanted to smoke. Terrified, the minor managed to call her father, prompting the driver to drop her off a few blocks from her home before fleeing. He was later arrested by the police.
In December 2024, Uber launched a 360-degree marketing campaign titled "Safety Never Stops", aiming to highlight its commitment to women’s safety and its enhanced technology features. However, several incidents related to women's safety have raised concerns about the effectiveness of the measures being taken by the company to ensure a truly secure environment, particularly for female users.
"Uber has taken steps like introducing the 'Women Rider Preference' and audio recording to enhance safety, especially for women—but the reality is, incidents still occur. So while the effort is there, it's hard to say with certainty that women's safety in Uber cabs is truly improving," said AK Garg, a frequent Uber cab user.
While Uber provides an in-app emergency alarm (SOS) button for women passengers, many riders are reportedly unaware of it or hesitate to use it during critical situations. These repeated incidents highlight the urgent need for stronger enforcement of safety features and proactive monitoring of driver behavior. Aggregators are mandatorily required to install a red alarm button the cabs which can be pressed by a passenger facing trouble. While not all Uber cabs have it, in some cabs there only dummy buttons.
Responding to the recent incidents, an Uber spokesperson told Free Press Journal, "As soon as we were notified, we remove the driver’s access to the Uber app. We cooperate with law enforcement agency by providing relevant information."
Sooraj Nair, Head - Safety Operations, Uber India & South Asia, added: “We believe that our work on safety never stops. We’ve continually innovated to lead the industry on safety and enhance the overall experience on every Uber trip. Whether it’s through tech-driven solutions like SOS integration and Women Rider Preference, or through initiatives such as gender sensitization, we remain focussed on building a platform that riders and drivers can trust every time they choose Uber."
Uber has developed safety features allows riders and drivers to instantly share live trip data and location with local police in emergencies and these will be launched in Maharashtra once police approval is received.
