Ride-hailing platform Rapido has issued a strong, zero-tolerance response to the alleged assault of a passenger during a ride, announcing that the driver involved has been permanently removed from the platform following internal verification. 

The company said it is cooperating fully with law enforcement and has reached out directly to the affected customer.

“We deeply regret the incident reported from Faridabad involving the alleged assault of a passenger. Any form of violence, misconduct, or aggressive behaviour is completely unacceptable and has no place on the Rapido platform,” a Rapido spokesperson said.

The spokesperson confirmed that the individual has been “permanently blacklisted and removed” and stressed that Rapido is working closely with the police and local authorities to support the ongoing investigation.

Placing passenger safety at the centre of its response, Rapido highlighted the safeguards it says are built into its operations at scale.

According to the company, all captains undergo mandatory background verification and onboarding checks, reinforced by behaviour monitoring, real-time ride tracking, and a 24/7 Emergency Response Team.

“Safety features such as in-app SOS, call masking, and late-night ride confirmations are built to provide immediate assistance to riders whenever required,” the spokesperson said, adding that Rapido recognises its responsibility to continuously strengthen its systems and maintain transparency with riders and authorities.

The company’s statement comes amid heightened public scrutiny after a video related to the incident went viral online, triggering widespread concern over safety on app-based transport platforms.

The incident itself, involving a journalist who alleged he was attacked after objecting to unsafe driving behaviour, has already been widely reported. 

While the precise location of the incident has not been officially confirmed, the vehicle details visible in the footage indicate registration in Faridabad, Haryana. Police are examining the matter as part of their probe.

Rapido’s response marks a critical moment for the platform as it seeks to reassure users at a time when passenger safety on ride-hailing apps remains under intense public and regulatory focus.