29-Year-Old Woman Allegedly Raped by Auto-Rickshaw Driver in Gachibowli: Police Investigate

In a shocking incident, a 29-year-old woman was allegedly raped by an auto-rickshaw driver in the early hours of Tuesday, October 15, near Masjid Banda in Hyderabad's Gachibowli area. The horrific crime occurred around 2:30 a.m. when the victim, who had just returned from Chennai, boarded an auto-rickshaw at Lingampally to reach her destination.

Incident Details: Attack in the Dead of Night

According to the victim's account, the auto-rickshaw driver diverted the vehicle from its intended route and took her to an isolated area near Masjid Banda. There, the driver allegedly assaulted and raped her. The victim tried to scream for help during the attack, but the driver reportedly attempted to strangle her to silence her cries. Fortunately, her ordeal was interrupted when the attacker spotted a passerby, prompting him to flee the scene.

Before escaping, the driver allegedly stole the victim’s cash, identification card, and other personal belongings. The victim, left traumatized, managed to seek help and report the incident to the police.

Police Investigation Underway: CCTV Footage Reviewed

Following the victim’s complaint, the Gachibowli police swiftly registered a case and launched an investigation. Authorities are now working to identify the suspect and bring him to justice. One of the key challenges in the investigation is that the auto-rickshaw involved in the crime reportedly did not have a number plate, complicating the search for the driver.

To track down the culprit, police officials are reviewing CCTV footage from the area. Hyderabad's extensive surveillance system, including cameras installed in public areas, is being used to gather clues and trace the auto-rickshaw’s movements. Investigators are hopeful that this footage will help them identify the suspect and bring him to justice.

Public Safety Concerns

The incident has raised concerns about public safety, especially for women traveling alone at night. Hyderabad, like many urban areas, has seen a rise in crimes involving auto-rickshaws without proper identification, such as missing or fake number plates. These unregulated vehicles pose a significant threat to passengers, particularly women, traveling in isolated areas or during late hours.

The local community is urging law enforcement to increase patrols and take more stringent actions against unauthorized and unregistered vehicles operating in the city. Police are also encouraging residents to be cautious while commuting late at night and to use safer modes of transportation where possible.

Police Call for Public Assistance

As the investigation continues, the Gachibowli police are appealing to the public for any information that could help locate the suspect. Witnesses or anyone who may have seen suspicious activity in the Masjid Banda area around the time of the incident are urged to come forward.

The police have also asked citizens to be vigilant when boarding auto-rickshaws and to report any vehicles without proper registration or those behaving suspiciously. The victim's courage in coming forward has been commended by law enforcement, and authorities are determined to ensure that justice is served.