₹625 vs ₹1,479: Gurugram Woman Alleges Threats Over Uber Fare

A woman software engineer and artificial intelligence (AI) professional has accused an Uber driver of physical aggression, verbal abuse and threats after a dispute over a cab fare in Gurugram. The driver allegedly demanded ₹1,479 instead of the ₹625 displayed on her Uber app, then followed her to her home after she refused to pay the higher amount.

Tanisha Sharma recounted the incident on social media, saying it occurred around 4:45 am after she arrived at Delhi airport and booked a cab to Gurugram. Her account triggered concerns over passenger safety and the effectiveness of ride-hailing platforms' emergency support systems.

Uber Fare vs Rapido Quote 

According to Sharma, the Uber app displayed a fare of approximately ₹625 for the journey. After the ride, the driver allegedly showed her a screenshot of a ₹1,479 fare quoted by rival platform Rapido and demanded that she pay that amount instead.

Sharma said she pointed out that the screenshot was from Rapido, not Uber, and paid the fare shown on her booking.

“When I pointed out that this was a Rapido screenshot and not an Uber screenshot, he said, ‘iss route ka itna hi hota hai’ (This is the actual fare of the route),” she wrote in her post. 

The driver allegedly then locked the car and refused to let her retrieve her luggage unless she paid the higher amount.

When she tried to collect her belongings, he allegedly grabbed her arm and shut the window where her luggage was kept.

“He held my arm and shut the front-seat window where my luggage was, trying to stop me from taking it out,” she claimed.

Alleged Threats at Her Doorstep 

Sharma said she eventually managed to retrieve her luggage and attempted to enter her home, but the driver allegedly followed her, abused her and forced his way towards the gate.

After she managed to get inside and lock the door, she alleged that he began climbing the gate while threatening her life.

“I finally managed to get inside and lock the door. He then started climbing the gate while hurling abuses and threatening my life. All of this happened around 4:45 am in Gurugram, when I'd just landed and was simply trying to get home safely. And it gets worse,” she wrote

Describing the incident as a frightening violation of her safety, Sharma said the confrontation had gone far beyond a fare dispute.

She also urged Uber to preserve the trip details and driver records for investigation.

Uber Bars Driver From Platform

Sharma raised concerns about being unable to access Uber's safety-support option while attempting to report the incident. She sought an urgent response from the company and called for a formal investigation.

Uber subsequently confirmed that the driver's access to its platform had been removed.

“What has been described is deeply concerning and has no place on the Uber platform. Such behaviour violates our Community Guidelines, and we have removed the driver’s access to the Uber app. We stand ready to support law enforcement authorities with any information they may require,” Uber said in an official statement. 

The company did not publicly detail the investigation's findings.

Police Respond to Allegations 

Gurugram police said they had taken note of Sharma's social media post and would act in accordance with the law. An initial police statement said officers were trying to contact her and had not yet received a complaint.

“We have not yet received a complaint from the woman but have taken cognisance of her social media post and are investigating the matter,” said a senior police officer. 

Sharma later confirmed that an FIR had been filed against the driver. She said Uber had also informed her that he was barred from accepting rides through the platform, adding that she was safe.