Shimla, Sep 22 – A resident of Delhi has filed a zero FIR, alleging harassment and attempted robbery by a cab driver while visiting Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district. According to the police complaint, the driver also reportedly misbehaved with the women in both families involved.

The complainant, Mohammad Raahim Rafi, stated in his September 20 complaint that he and his friend, along with their families, had traveled to Himachal Pradesh for a four-day vacation organized by a travel agency. The total booking cost was Rs 36,600, with 50% paid in advance and the remainder due upon hotel check-in.

Both Rafi and his friend are journalists employed by prominent media organizations in Delhi. In his complaint, Rafi detailed an incident where the driver, who had picked them up from Delhi, demanded an additional Rs 10,000 for petrol about an hour before reaching Dharamshala. When they refused, citing that the payment had already been made, the driver retaliated by removing their luggage from the vehicle.

After reporting the issue to the travel agency, the driver was replaced, allowing the group to continue their journey. However, on the night of September 17, while returning from Chamba, the new driver allegedly stopped the vehicle near Gaggal airport in Kangra, locked all doors using central locking, and drove them into a nearby forested area.

The complaint alleges that the driver then misbehaved with some of the women in the group, physically assaulted Rafi, and demanded Rs 4,000. Fortunately, the tourists managed to overpower the driver and escape from the vehicle, subsequently hiring another cab to continue their trip.

Rafi expressed disappointment that the travel agency took no action after being informed of the incident. In response to the allegations, Kangra SP Shalini Agnihotri assured PTI on Sunday that the matter would be thoroughly investigated and appropriate legal measures would be implemented.