A BluSmart cab driver was arrested yesterday for allegedly robbing a passenger and her young son at gunpoint, stealing ₹55,000.
The incident occurred in the Delhi NCR region and has sparked renewed concerns about safety in app-based ride-hailing services.
The accused, identified as Sonu Singh, reportedly held the victims at gunpoint during a ride.
Following the harrowing experience, the woman filed a police complaint at the Kherki Daula police station, leading to Sonu Singh’s swift arrest within 24 hours.
In a statement, BluSmart expressed deep regret over the unfortunate event, reinforcing its commitment to passenger safety. “We are deeply saddened and disturbed by the recent incident where a BluSmart rider and their child were robbed,” the company said.
BluSmart emphasized that safety has always been a priority, with stringent onboarding processes that include background checks, interviews, and driving tests for its driver-partners.
Additionally, the company uses technology solutions like facial recognition to verify driver identities and operates a dedicated safety helpline for riders.
The company emphasized its commitment to safety, announcing plans to bolster its safety protocols through enhanced technology solutions and additional training for drivers.
BluSmart’s Growth and Safety Challenges
Founded in 2019 by Anmol Jaggi and Punit K Goyal, BluSmart has positioned itself as a pioneer in EV ride-hailing, operating over 7,300 EVs across Delhi NCR and Bengaluru.
The company aims to expand its fleet to 10,000 EVs by the end of this year.
Despite rapid growth, including a 102% annual run rate increase to ₹500 crore and significant revenue gains in FY24, the incident highlights safety concerns that continue to plague the ride-hailing sector.
BluSmart joins other major players like Ola, Uber, and Rapido, which have also faced safety scandals.
In October, the Karnataka High Court ordered Ola’s parent company ANI Technologies to compensate a woman ₹5 lakh for a sexual harassment case involving a driver in 2018.
Rapido has also seen allegations of assault and harassment, with several high-profile incidents in recent years.
Enhanced Safety Measures
In light of this incident, BluSmart has reaffirmed its commitment to passenger safety, outlining immediate steps to strengthen its security framework. The company plans to:
- Introduce advanced technology to monitor driver behavior.
- Implement additional driver training focused on passenger safety and emergency protocols.
- Conduct more stringent background checks on driver-partners.
The arrest of Sonu Singh is a stark reminder of the challenges that ride-hailing companies face in maintaining passenger trust.
As BluSmart looks to expand its operations, ensuring safety and reliability remains critical to its mission of revolutionizing mobility in India.
