Uber removed a driver in Thiruvananthapuram after he allegedly molested a woman techie.
An Uber driver in Thiruvananthapuram was removed from services by the company after he allegedly molested a woman techie working at a firm in Technopark, the hub of IT companies in the capital city earlier this month. Uber, in a statement, said they have removed the driver after an internal investigation.
The 32-year-old driver allegedly molested with the woman on June 13 when she was returning home in the evening from her office in Technopark, located in Kazhakuttam. She had booked a cab on the Uber app at around 7:30 pm. According to the complaint, the driver tried to befriend the woman during the journey. When the cab reached the area of Aakkulam, he allegedly molested her.
The woman screamed and asked him to stop the car while she called a friend. She got out of the car as soon as it stopped and proceeded with the friend.
News agency PTI reported that Uber sent her an 'apology mail' saying such an incident would not be repeated after the woman complained to the company.
"What has been described is deeply upsetting. The behaviour of this nature has no place on the Uber app," Uber said in the statement. "We internally investigated the matter and the driver partner was immediately barred from accessing the app," Uber spokesperson said in the statement.
A forum for Technopark IT employees, 'Prathidhwani, said they approached the police and sent an e-mail complaint. Police,say they have not received any complaint. Police called the driver and gave him a warning but did not take any action against him as woman has neither filed a complaint not given a statement to the police.
Uber has been at the center of various controversies in the last few months over charges of workplace harassment and discrimination.
On Tuesday, Travis Kalanick resigned as the CEO of the company reportedly under pressure from investors who sought his exit. The San Francisco-based ride-hailing company fired 20 employees over the last few months for harassment, discrimination and inappropriate behaviour.
A 26-year-old woman who was raped by an Uber driver in Delhi is reportedly suing the company after a top executive allegedly obtained her medical records.
(With inputs from PTI)