Bengaluru woman run over by tractor during Rapido ride seeks accountability

On June 17, a 32-year-old interior designer suffered severe, near-fatal injuries after the Rapido bike taxi she was riding collided with a tractor in Byrasandra, near the Bagmane Tech park in Bengaluru. Sani Krishna, who was heading to her office in Domlur, was thrown from the two-wheeler and run over by the tractor, leaving her immobile and sparking a demand for accountability from the ride-hailing aggregator.

According to the First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Jeevan Bheema Nagar traffic police, the Rapido scooter rider, Ashis Bag, was riding at a high speed and in a reckless manner on the narrow road. He crashed into a tractor, which was also being driven in a negligent manner by driver Parashuram Achari. Sani Krishna fell onto the road, and the right wheel of the tractor ran over her face and body.

The collision left Krishna with severe damage to her face, ribs, and spleen. She was initially admitted to a private hospital in Bengaluru. However, as treatment costs mounted, her family relocated her to a private facility in her hometown of Kozhikode, Kerala.

The Jeevan Bheema Nagar traffic police registered a case of rash and negligent driving against both Bag and Achari following a complaint by Krishna's friend, 29-year-old Achyut Mahajan.

Krishna and her family have publicly criticized Rapido for its response to the accident, noting that she had booked the ride using the platform's "Women's Safety" feature. Krishna shared on social media that her ICU bills have exceeded Rs 13.6 lakh, but Rapido representatives allegedly attempted to apply a Rs 1 lakh third-party insurance cap. She also claimed that company representatives told her friends in person that they were not liable for how their drivers drive.

Mahajan initially flagged the incident on social media on June 18, accusing the Rapido driver of gross negligence. He stated that a city manager's team from Rapido subsequently met him on June 26 and indicated the company had no control over its riders' driving and could not be held accountable.

In response, a Rapido spokesperson stated that the firm is deeply saddened by the incident and has initiated the insurance claim process in accordance with its policy for bike services. The spokesperson added that their team has visited the hospital, reached out to the family, and remains in close contact to offer support during her recovery.