Rapido Driver Claim Near Hyderabad Charminar Raises Safety Alert

Core News & Key Facts

A Hyderabad woman has raised concerns over passenger safety after a man allegedly approached her near the Charminar claiming to be a Rapido driver and offering her a ride. The incident reportedly took place on Saturday night, when content creator Siddeshwari Sugandh was waiting for an auto she had already booked.

According to Siddeshwari, the man approached her on a scooter and asked where she was going and whether he could drop her. He later asked, “Aapko Rapido chahiye kya madam?” She said she had booked an auto rather than a bike ride and immediately asked him to show his driver identification.

Her suspicion increased when she noticed that the scooter did not have a visible vehicle number. Instead of providing Rapido credentials, the man, who identified himself as Irfan, reportedly began downloading the Rapido application from the Play Store.

Context & Official Statements

Siddeshwari said the interaction became more concerning as she continued asking the man to establish his identity. At one point, he reportedly claimed that the vehicle was not starting, prompting her to question why he was offering her a ride if the scooter was not functioning.

She also said the phone screen showed an OTP-related page when she took the device from him. After asking him to provide his full name and remaining dissatisfied with his response, she firmly told him to leave.

In an Instagram post accompanying the video, Siddeshwari said what shocked her most was the confidence with which the man approached a woman at around 9pm without a prior booking or verification. She clarified that she was not blaming Rapido and said she regularly uses the platform, particularly at night, because of its safety procedures and post-ride calls.

Rapido responded to her post, thanked her for highlighting the incident and reminded passengers that captain and ride details can be verified through the app.

Impact & What to Expect Next

Rapido also pointed to the OTP system used when a ride begins, saying it helps passengers confirm that they are travelling with the correct captain and vehicle. The company urged users to check these details before entering a vehicle, particularly when someone approaches them without an existing booking.

The incident highlights the importance of independently verifying ride information rather than relying solely on a driver's verbal claim. Passengers can check the assigned captain, vehicle details and ride information within the app before beginning their journey.

For users travelling at night or from busy public locations such as Charminar, the episode serves as a reminder to avoid entering an unverified vehicle, even when the person claims to represent a familiar ride-hailing service.