B'luru police arrest Rapido driver Shahabuddin and his friend Akhtar for sexually assaulting a 22-year-old woman

Bengaluru, November 30: Amid the crime against women has been intensifying in the state, Bengaluru police on Tuesday (November 30) arrested a bike taxi driver Shahabuddin and his friend Akhtar for sexually assaulting a 22-year-old woman. The police have arrested them under section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). As per the police, one accused had a criminal case against him in the past.

As per the FIR filed by the woman, on November 24 she hired a bike taxi from BTM Layout to Electronic City. However, instead of dropping her to the location, the Rapido driver Shahabuddin took the 22-year-old victim to his house, which was close to where she was staying. The Rapido driver and his friend Akhtar raped the woman in the house.

Reports suggest that Shahabuddin had misbehaved with the victim when he had stopped the taxi at a shop on the way to Electronic City. The victim filed a complaint with the police a few days later.

While giving the information about the crime, Bengaluru Police Commissioner Pratap Reddy said “The woman had hired a ‘Rapido’ bike to go from one friend’s house to another. On the way, the bike driver took advantage and has taken her to his place, where he along with his friend raped her. There was another woman along with them during the crime, who cooperated and then tried to hush it up."

As per the police, Shahabuddin has a criminal history and he was earlier arrested for thrashing his neighbour over a water issue.

Apart from Shahabuddin and Akhtar, the Bengaluru police have also arrested their female friend who was present at the house when the incident took place. The police are currently investigating if the accused were involved in similar cases in the past.