A 31-year-old woman from Delhi endured a terrifying night in the forests near Nainital after allegedly escaping a rape attempt by the taxi driver she had hired during her trip to Uttarakhand. The accused driver has since been arrested after police traced him using CCTV footage, the taxi’s registration number, and GPS tracking.
The woman had reached Kathgodam from Delhi via Dehradun on Thursday and hired a taxi to travel to the popular hill station of Nainital. What began as a routine journey soon turned into a frightening experience in the early hours of the morning.
According to police officials, around 1:30 am the taxi driver suddenly diverted the vehicle toward a deserted road in the Patwa Dangar area instead of following the usual route to Nainital. When the woman objected to the unexpected change in direction, the driver allegedly stopped the car and began verbally abusing her. Police said the man then assaulted the woman, snatched her mobile phone, and attempted to rape her.
In a desperate bid to protect herself, the woman managed to escape from the vehicle and ran toward a nearby forest. Injured and without her phone, she spent the entire night hiding among the trees, fearing the driver might come looking for her.
The ordeal continued until morning when she finally managed to reach Patwa Dangar village. With the help of local residents, the woman contacted the police and filed a complaint about the incident.
Authorities immediately launched an investigation. Police teams collected evidence from the area and sent the victim for a medical examination. A case was registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to attempted rape, robbery, and abduction.
Investigators relied on technology to track the accused. By examining CCTV footage, the taxi’s number plate, and the vehicle’s GPS system, police were able to trace the driver and locate him quickly.
The accused has been identified as Deepak Singh Bora, a 39-year-old resident of Haldwani. Police recovered the victim’s stolen mobile phone from his possession and also seized the taxi used in the incident. Officials later confirmed that the driver had been operating a vehicle that belonged to someone else.
Nainital Senior Superintendent of Police Manjunath TC said the safety of tourists and residents remains a top priority for the district administration. He assured that strict legal action will be taken against anyone involved in such crimes.
The police also issued a warning to taxi owners, asking them to verify drivers and their documents carefully before allowing them to operate vehicles. Authorities said failure to follow these instructions could result in strict legal action.
The shocking incident has once again raised concerns about the safety of solo travelers, particularly women, in popular tourist destinations. While Uttarakhand continues to attract thousands of visitors each year for its scenic beauty and hill stations, the case highlights the urgent need for stronger monitoring of taxi services and stricter safety measures for tourists.