Two taxi drivers arrested for harassing tourist in Munnar

Idukki: Two taxi drivers have been arrested in connection with an incident in Munnar where a woman tourist was allegedly threatened for using an online cab service. The arrests follow the suspension of two police officers for failing to act promptly on the woman’s complaint.

The arrested are Vinayakan and Vijayakumar, both residents of Munnar. They were later released on station bail, the police said. Officials added that one more suspect involved in the case is yet to be arrested. 

The suspended officers— Grade SI George Kurian and ASI Saju Paulose of the Munnar police station— were removed from duty after an internal inquiry found negligence in handling the incident, according to District Police Chief K M Sabu Mathew.

According to police sources, both the Special Branch and the Intelligence Wing had submitted reports to the District Police Chief confirming lapses on the part of the officers. The suspension was ordered pending further inquiry. The Munnar police had already registered a suo motu case in connection with the incident.

The incident came to light after Janvi, a tourist from Mumbai, shared a video on social media detailing the harassment she allegedly faced from local taxi drivers in Munnar.

Janvi, who visited Munnar on October 30, said she had booked an online cab for her trip. However, at the Munnar check post, her vehicle was blocked by a group of five men who demanded that she get out of the car, claiming there was a court order banning online taxis in the region.

She alleged that when she contacted the police for assistance, the officers appeared to side with the taxi union instead of helping her. Fearing for her safety, she reluctantly continued her journey but was threatened again midway, prompting her to end the trip and return.

Police sources revealed that similar incidents involving local taxi drivers and online cab operators have occurred in Munnar over the past year. Several online taxi drivers have reportedly been assaulted by locals while ferrying tourists to the hill station.

Earlier, when the KSRTC introduced a double-decker bus service for tourists in Munnar, the joint taxi drivers’ union had staged protests against then Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar, alleging that the service would affect their livelihood.

The Munnar police are now in the process of recording Janvi’s formal statement as part of the ongoing investigation.