Mumbai: ‘BEST driver harassed me on bus’

The BEST driver recording a video of the woman journalist without her consent

A distressing incident involving a bus driver on route 348 occurred on April 29, between 10.30 pm and 11 pm near Sion. As I boarded the bus near Kala Nagar in Bandra East, the driver started the bus hurriedly. When I asked him to let me board properly, he responded rudely and unprofessionally.

When I requested him to halt the bus correctly at the next stop, he became aggressive and argumentative. I began recording a video as a precaution, but he continued to harass me and even stopped the bus abruptly in the middle of the road in Dharavi, inconveniencing other passengers.

To my shock, he then pulled out his phone and began recording a video of me without my consent. Despite my objection, he continued recording. Taking a video of a woman without her consent is a serious offence, and the situation was deeply embarrassing and intimidating. As a female journalist, I am deeply concerned about the safety and dignity of women passengers using public transport. I have filed an oral complaint (Complaint No. 54) with the Wadala TT Police.

BEST response

BEST spokesperson Sudas Sawant said that in such cases, once a complaint is received, an inquiry is conducted in the presence of both the complainant and the employee (or contract worker). "If the person is found guilty, action is taken, usually involving a suspension of two to three days. If the person is not found guilty, they are counselled, warned and let off," Sawant added.