Bengaluru: A disturbing video of a Rapido bike taxi driver slapping a woman passenger in Bengaluru has gone viral.

According to reports, the altercation began when the woman, an employee at a local jewellery store, asked to get off the ride before reaching her destination. She reportedly confronted the driver over rash driving, which led to an argument.

A communication barrier further escalated the situation, as the woman spoke only English while the driver in Kannada.

Tensions flared when the woman allegedly refused to pay the fare. In the video, the two are seen arguing in front of bystanders, who do not intervene. Moments later, the driver is seen slapping the woman, causing her to fall to the ground. Despite the assault, no one stepped in to assist her. It is seen that she ultimately paid the fare before walking away.

Police sources confirmed that they urged the woman to file an official complaint, but she declined to pursue the matter. A non-cognizable report has been registered, and an investigation is ongoing.

Bike taxi services ban:

The incident comes at a time when bike taxi services in Karnataka are already under legal scrutiny. Following a Karnataka High Court decision upholding the state government’s directive, bike taxi operations have been temporarily banned until a clear regulatory framework is established.

In response to the ruling, Rapido has suspended its bike taxi services across Karnataka. The app now displays a message notifying users of the change, replacing the ride option with a "bike parcel" delivery service.

The suspension marks a major setback for app-based mobility platforms like Rapido, Ola, and Uber, which had been catering to the growing demand for two-wheeler transport in congested urban areas such as Bengaluru.