HYDERABAD : A Rapido driver, Sandeep, was arrested by the Tukaram Gate police for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl at a lodge in Secunderabad on Wednesday.
The accused is a native of Nalgonda and is residing in the city, in search of a job.
According to sources, the girl had left her home on Sunday night after being scolded by her parents for spending excessive time on her phone. Upon her parents not finding her at home the next day, they filed a missing complaint at the Tukaram Gate police station on Monday.
During her escape, she encountered Sandeep Reddy, 28, a Rapido driver. Reddy took advantage of the situation and coerced the girl into accompanying him. From Mahendra Hills, the duo went for a stroll to Kukatpallym then made their way to Necklace Road, Tank Bund and then went to a lodge in Kachiguda. There, he raped her and subsequently fled the scene.
Later, the girl’s parents received a call for a passerby and were informed that their daughter is in Kachiguda.
Further upon knowing that the girl was allegedly raped, a case has been registered under POCSO and 376(rape).
Rapido, in a statement shared on Thursday, insisted that the ride did not take place on their platform.
"We are deeply troubled by the recent incident involving a minor girl in Hyderabad. Our thoughts are with the victim and her family during this difficult time. At Rapido, the safety and security of our customers is our utmost priority. We want to clarify that this ride did not take place on our platform, and the victim did not book any ride through Rapido. The accused was not on a Rapido ride at the time of this tragic event," the statement said.
Rapido maintains a zero-tolerance policy for any form of misconduct. All Rapido captains undergo rigorous background verification during the on boarding process to ensure the safety of our customers, it went on to add.