Bengaluru designer injured in Byrasandra Rapido crash faces Rs 20 lakh medical bill

On June 17, a 32-year-old interior designer named Sani Krishna was grievously injured in a road accident in Byrasandra near Bagmane Tech Park after the Rapido bike taxi she was riding collided with a tractor. The incident, which occurred just 300 metres from her residence, has left Krishna bedridden with medical expenses exceeding Rs 20 lakh and sparked widespread concerns over the safety and accountability of ride-hailing platforms in Bengaluru.

Krishna was travelling pillion from Byrasandra to her office in Domlur when the crash occurred. According to the First Information Report (FIR), the scooter rider, Ashis Bag, was allegedly speeding and riding recklessly on a narrow road. The impact of the collision threw Krishna onto the road, where the tractor's right wheel allegedly ran over her face and body.

According to Krishna's friend, Achyut Mahajan, she suffered a Grade 4 splenic laceration, seven fractured ribs, a collapsed lung, a broken shoulder, and severe facial injuries requiring plastic surgery. After receiving initial treatment at a private hospital in Bengaluru, she was shifted to a hospital in Kozhikode as treatment costs escalated. She is currently undergoing therapy and may require a 10-hour rib reconstruction surgery next month.

A police official stated that notices have been issued to both the scooter rider and the tractor driver, who was also found negligent. An investigation is underway, and a chargesheet will be filed against both.

Mahajan criticized Rapido's response, claiming the company's support team closed the complaint while Krishna was still undergoing treatment and failed to respond to repeated requests for assistance. While Rapido later expressed regret and stated that accident insurance of up to Rs 5 lakh was available, the family claimed they have not received any support or reimbursement. Mahajan also alleged that during a meeting on June 26, company representatives stated the platform had no control over how riders operated their vehicles and could not be held responsible.

Traffic police officials noted that some bike taxi riders tend to prioritize completing trips quickly to increase their earnings, leading to speeding and reckless driving.