BENGALURU: A 15-year-old student had a terrifying time in a Uber cab on Friday evening. “I was forced to crouch in the rear leg space for more than three hours, even as the driver continued to move around,” said Siddharth (name changed) who was allegedly kidnapped by the driver, identified as Tabrez.
Siddharth had booked a cab for home in Sarjapur around 6.30pm from his tuition class in BDA Layout, HSR Layout.
Siddharath’s parents became anxious when their son did not reach home even after 7.30pm. With no means of contacting Uber, they approached a family friend for help.
He advised them to book another cab, and they managed to contact the Uber office. After a while, they were given the cab driver’s number, who told them that he had dropped the boy near his house at 7.30pm.
However, Siddharth’s parents grew suspicious as his mobile was switched off and Tabrez’s replies to their queries were unconvincing.
They then approached Varthur police, who were able to contact the driver.
Scared that the police were alerted, Tabrez left the boy in front of a hotel near Whitefield around 12.30am and fled with the boy’s school bag and phone. Siddharth then explained his ordeal to the security staff at the hotel and they helped him contact his parents. Two policemen and a friend of his parents took him back home.
Despite repeated calls, Uber was not available for comment.
According to a senior officer at Varthur police station, Uber did not respond properly.
“They kept on giving excuses without giving details of the cab’s whereabouts. Despite the gravity of the situation, they said that they were required to take permission from the seniors and gave no details. So we have filed a case of negligence against the company,” the officer said.