Daijiworld Media Network – Chennai

Chennai, Oct 29: A 35-year-old bike taxi driver was arrested in Chennai on Monday for allegedly sexually assaulting a 22-year-old woman passenger. The accused, identified as Sivakumar, was produced before a court on Tuesday and has been remanded to judicial custody. Police have also seized his motorcycle.

According to investigators, the victim had booked a bike taxi late Monday night to meet her friend in Pakkikaranai and asked the driver to wait for her return trip. However, while dropping her home the following morning, Sivakumar allegedly took a deserted route, threatened her, and sexually assaulted her before dropping her off at her residence.

The woman narrated the incident to her husband, who accompanied her to file a police complaint. Following an inquiry, the T-5 Vanagaram Police found the allegations to be true and arrested Sivakumar. “A case was registered under relevant sections, and the accused was taken into custody,” police said in a statement.

The incident has reignited public concern over the safety of women using ride-hailing and bike taxi services in Tamil Nadu. Opposition parties have accused the state government of failing to curb rising crimes against women, while police and ruling DMK officials maintain that strict action and fast-tracked trials are being pursued to ensure justice.