Delhi cab driver masturbates in front of DU student, tries to touch her in moving vehicle

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A 48-year-old cab driver has been arrested by Delhi Police for allegedly masturbating in front of a Delhi University student while driving through the city's Maurice Nagar neighbourhood. The victim, a postgraduate student at Ambedkar University originally from Bengaluru, had booked the cab to travel from her rented accommodation in Model Town, according to a report by Hindustan.

In her complaint, she stated that the driver, identified as Lom Shankar, initially instructed her to sit in the front seat, a request she refused. The situation escalated alarmingly when the driver discerned she was from South India; he began making lewd remarks, allegedly attempted to touch her and then started masturbating in the moving vehicle.

Despite her repeated protests, the driver did not cease his actions until the cab reached North Campus, where the terrified student managed to escape and immediately sought help. She later lodged a formal written complaint at the Maurice Nagar police station.

Police confirmed that the accused, a resident of Malka Ganj, was swiftly taken into custody. The cab has been seized and sent for a thorough forensic examination. Authorities also confirmed that the student is being provided with counselling support.

This alarming case is part of a deeply concerning pattern of brazen public sexual harassment targeting women across Delhi-NCR. Last month, a 32-year-old man was caught on camera allegedly masturbating in front of a model at a busy intersection.

As per reports, the arrest of Abhilash Kumar, an assistant manager at a private firm, came days after the victim uploaded a video of the masked man flashing her while she was waiting for a cab. Police confirmed his arrest was made through analysis of CCTV footage and technical investigation.

In a separate but similarly distressing event, another woman was subjected to harassment by a passerby while she waited for a cab near Rajiv Chowk on August 2. The woman stated that a man allegedly unzipped his trousers and began masturbating in front of her. Demonstrating considerable presence of mind, she recorded a video of the incident, which subsequently went viral on social media platforms.

The Rajiv Chowk case led to the registration of a formal complaint at the Civil Lines police station and the arrest of the accused individual. A police spokesperson, ASI Sandeep Kumar, stated that authorities had taken suo motu cognisance of the matter and registered a case. “The woman has also been called to join the investigation. A probe is underway to identify the accused,” Kumar was cited by TOI as saying.