Mumbai streets turn unsafe for women as 28-year-old pilot faces assault in app-based cab, driver arrested
by Utsav Roy
Mumbai police arrested an app-based cab driver on Sunday and are currently searching for his two associates, accused of molesting a 28-year-old female pilot during a ride on June 19.
Officials from Ghatkopar police station identified the driver as 28-year-old Sajid Gulhasan, who was taken into custody based on the pilot’s complaint. The complainant is also married to an Indian Navy officer.
Zone 7 Deputy Commissioner of Police, Rakesh Ola, confirmed the arrest and stated that further investigation is underway.
As per the police, the woman’s husband is temporarily staying at a Navy facility in Colaba while waiting for a government residence to be assigned. Meanwhile, the pilot resides in Ghatkopar. The couple usually meets in South Mumbai when their schedules allow.
According to her statement, on the night of June 19, the couple had dinner in the Fort area. At around 10:45 pm, the pilot booked a cab to return to Ghatkopar.
Roughly 25 minutes into the ride, the driver diverted from the designated route and picked up two other men. One joined the driver in the front seat, while the other sat beside the pilot in the back.
The pilot alleged in her police statement that the man next to her grabbed her hand while the other issued threats to keep her silent. She was also subjected to inappropriate touching, while the driver continued operating the vehicle without intervening.
Later during the journey, upon noticing a police check ahead, the driver halted the car and the two men exited the vehicle. The pilot said she was frightened and couldn’t identify the location due to the heavy rain.
After reaching her destination, she questioned the driver about letting the two men board, but received no response. The next day, she and her husband visited the Ghatkopar police station to report the incident.
An FIR was registered on Saturday, following which Gulhasan was arrested on Sunday. He was presented in court and has been remanded to police custody for three days, a police source revealed.