California: Intoxicated woman passes out in cab, Indian-origin rideshare driver accused of rape

Representational Image

A 35-year-old Indian-origin rideshare driver has been arrested in California after being accused of sexually assaulting a young woman who was unconscious during a late-night ride, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. The case is now under investigation to determine whether there may be additional survivors.

The accused, identified as Simranjit Singh Sekhon, a resident of Bakersfield, was taken into custody on December 15 and booked on charges of raping an unconscious person, Fox News reported.

Authorities said the alleged assault took place in the early hours of November 27. Investigators stated that Sekhon picked up a 21-year-old woman from a bar in Thousand Oaks at around 1 am for a rideshare trip to Camarillo.

According to law enforcement, the woman was heavily intoxicated at the time of pickup and unable to care for herself. During the ride, she reportedly fell asleep inside the vehicle.

Fox News cited investigators as saying that although the trip was marked as completed in the rideshare system, Sekhon allegedly continued driving around Camarillo with the unconscious passenger still in the car. It was during this period, authorities allege, that the sexual assault occurred.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office said the allegations are based on findings from an investigation conducted by its Major Crimes Sexual Assault Unit, which received a report of an assault in Camarillo.

Prosecutors have pointed to the woman’s unconscious state as a central factor in the case. Sekhon appeared in court for his arraignment, where he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

His bail has been set at $500,000, and his next court hearing is scheduled for later this month, according to Fox News.

Officials have not disclosed which rideshare company Sekhon was working for at the time of the alleged incident. Authorities also declined to release details regarding his immigration or visa status.

Investigators have indicated that the case may involve more than one survivor. “The investigation remains active,” the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office was quoted by Fox News as saying.

Following the arrest, law enforcement agencies have renewed calls for witnesses or potential survivors to come forward. The case has also reignited concerns about passenger safety in rideshare services across the United States, particularly for vulnerable individuals traveling late at night.