In a shocking incident, popular television actress Shreya Kulkarni encountered verbal and physical harassment while using the ride-hailing app Rapido in Nashik. The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of women traveling late at night.

Late-Night Journey Turns Into a Nightmare

Shreya Kulkarni was traveling from Mumbai to Nashik for her ongoing serial shoot in Deolali. She arrived at Nashik Road railway station around 1:00 a.m. and booked a Rapido auto for her residence. Trusting the app’s reputation for safety, she boarded an auto with vehicle number 1994, driven by Vijay Gaikwad.

Driver Refuses to Drop Her at the Doorstep

As the auto reached a landmark just 200 meters away from her residence, Shreya requested the driver to take her the remaining distance, citing the late hour. Vijay Gaikwad, however, refused and told her, “Get down here and fuck off.” Startled and scared, the actress pleaded with him to drop her at her residence. The driver agreed but demanded extra charges.

Heated Argument and Harassment

After dropping her off, Gaikwad began shouting and misbehaving, creating a scene in the quiet neighborhood. Shreya asked him to stay calm, but the driver continued to argue, hurl abuses, and even tried to touch her inappropriately. Terrified, Shreya quickly ran into her home.

Driver Creates Chaos Outside Her Residence

The harassment did not end there. Vijay Gaikwad honked incessantly outside her residence for nearly two hours, calling her out and demanding more money. Despite giving him ₹10 as additional fare, his behavior escalated as he attempted to touch her again and continued to abuse her.

Production Team Comes to the Rescue

Shreya’s production team eventually intervened and helped diffuse the situation. Their timely arrival ensured the actress’s safety, but the incident left her shaken.

No Action From Rapido

Shreya reported the incident to Rapido’s customer service, expecting swift action against the driver. However, no action was taken, leading her to express her disappointment publicly. “Rapido is not at all safe for females,” she remarked.

Concerns About Women’s Safety

This incident highlights the pressing need for stricter monitoring and accountability among ride-hailing services. Safety protocols, particularly for female passengers traveling during odd hours, must be prioritized to prevent such distressing experiences in the future.

Authorities Yet to Act

While the incident has garnered attention, authorities and Rapido’s management are yet to respond with concrete measures to address the actress’s complaint. Shreya Kulkarni has urged companies to prioritize passenger safety and ensure that such incidents are never repeated.

News Source : Bollywood ki Baten