‘Bhikhari ki aulad’: Rapido driver insults and threatens Mumbai woman after dispute over extra charge; Netizens say, ‘Why is it always Rapido?’

Mumbai-based techie Ohshin Bhatt alleged that a Rapido taxi driver verbally abused and threatened her after she refused to pay extra for her ride.Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Bhatt shared the driver’s abusive messages screenshot, which has raised widespread concerns about the safety of passengers and the accountability of taxi services.

Bhatt shared that he booked a ride through Rapido’s Economy service, which usually offers more affordable rides in hatchbacks. However, the designated car was from Rapido’s Premium category, which usually consisted of higher-priced sedans. The driver seemed to list his car as two in categories required additional payment to secure more bookings.

When Bhatt refused to pay the extra amount, the driver allegedly became aggressive. In the screenshot he published, he reportedly wrote: He also insulted her with ‘Bhikhari ki aulad’ (beggar’s child) comments and mocked her financial decisions, saying:

Bhatt stated that he eventually canceled the ride and booked another taxi through Uber, while the Rapido driver himself canceled the booking after the incident. Speaking to Hindustan Times, he expressed his concern at the service provider regarding inappropriate behavior.

In response to the allegations, Rapido issued a public apology through its customer service manager at X. The company stated: “We fully understand the seriousness of this matter and deeply apologize for the captain’s unprofessional behavior. Please share the trip details via DM so that we can prioritize actions against the captain and provide you with updates.”

The incident sparked widespread criticism of Rapido, with many users calling for tougher action and better vetting procedures for drivers.

One user asked: “What in the world is going on? Why is it always Rapido?”

Another shared: “I’ve had a similar incident, but mine was with Rapido’s customer service team.”

The episode adds to a growing list of complaints of inappropriate and threatening behavior involving ride-hailing drivers, highlighting ongoing concerns about passenger safety and accountability in the expanding luxury economy.