Auto driver 'robs, assaults' woman near Mancheswar

BHUBANESWAR: Despite repeated warnings by police and administration against misbehaviour with passengers, misconduct by auto-rickshaw drivers continue unabated in the city.
On Monday night, a 30-year-old woman was allegedly assaulted, robbed and pushed out from an auto by its driver near Mancheswar. The accused driver, Subash Chandra Mallick, was arrested later on Tuesday.
According to the victim, who runs a beauty parlour in the city, she was returning from Baramunda to Kalpana Square around 10 pm when the driver allegedly took her to a desolate place in Mancheswar and misbehaved with her. The accused reportedly snatched cash worth Rs 5,000 and a mobile phone from the woman, and pushed her out of the auto, causing minor injuries.
"It is a clear case of robbery. The driver assaulted her and robbed her of her belongings," DCP Nitinjeet Singh said. Police nabbed Mallick after locals tipped them about the auto's registration number.
The incident is reminiscent of the December 24 incident in which a 20-year-old girl was allegedly molested by an auto driver and two co-passengers before being thrown off the moving three-wheeler at Delta Square. While police arrested the driver the very next day, the two co-accused are on the run.
"We have appealed to the court to take the driver in remand to track the absconding duo," Singh said.