Uber is cooperating with authorities to ensure that the perpetrator is brought to justice
Uber, the ride-sharing start-up is facing a lawsuit in California in connection with the rape incident in India involving its authorized driver on December 5, 2014.
The Indian government banned the company’s operations in India due to the crime. Thailand and Spain also declared that it is operating illegally in both countries.
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The victim, who was referred to as Jane Do to protect her identity alleged that Uber was negligent because it failed to ensure the safety and well-being of customers particularly its female riders.
According to the lawsuit, Uber failed to implement and maintain basic safety procedures contrary to its statement on its website that it is committed to “set strictest safety standards possible” and “aim to go beyond and above local requirements.”
Lawsuit seeks to stop Uber’s reckless expansion
The complainant emphasized that Uber lured customers with promises of “commitment to safety” through its relentless marketing effort, but its real commitment is to increase its profit by rapidly expanding in highly-populated markets.
Uber’s app is a modern day equivalent of hitch-hiking, according to the lawsuit, which aims to stop Uber from its reckless expansion worldwide at the “unfortunate expense of basic customer safety.”
The lawsuit is also seeking compensation for the sufferings of the victim from the brutal and horrific rape that happened to her due to Uber’s inadequate and deceitful commitment to safety.
Uber’s claim regarding customer safety as number one priority is false
The lawsuit said Uber’s claim that its number one priority is customer’s safety is false and hollow as the company routinely fails to monitor and trace trips adequately based on investigations of its safety measures. The company also failed to screen its drivers effectively as it is regularly employing drivers with known criminal records.
Jane Doe was raped and sexually assaulted by an Uber driver named Shiv Kumar Yadav in India on December 5. The victim immediately reported the incident to the police.
During the investigation, the police found that there were no employee records and no GPS logs of its drivers at its office in New Delhi. The police were told to contact Uber’s office in the U.S. obtain Yadav’s information and trip logs.
The police also found that Yadav has been accused of rapes and sexual assaults, and he submitted a fake character certificate to Uber.
The lawsuit pointed out that Uber violated numerous regulations and ordinances imposed by the government of India regarding taxicab drivers. Ms. Doe wouldn’t have to endure a “heart-wrenching sexual assault” if Uber did not violate the rules, according to the complaint.
Uber expressed sympathy for the victim
“Our deepest sympathies remain with the victim of this horrific crime. We are cooperating fully with the authorities to ensure the perpetrator is brought to justice,” according to the statement sent to TechCrunch by the spokesperson of Uber.