NEW DELHI – A disturbing video involving the harassment of a New Zealand tourist by an auto-rickshaw driver has ignited a firestorm of criticism on social media, raising serious concerns regarding the safety of international visitors in the national capital.
The incident came to light after the tourist shared footage of the encounter online. The driver, identified as Faroz Khan, is seen repeatedly making unsolicited sexual propositions and behaving inappropriately while transporting the visitor to the airport.
Details of the Incident
Despite the tourist’s clear and firm refusals, the driver persisted in offering illegal services. The viral footage captures the following:
- Solicitation: The driver is heard in broken English offering to arrange young women, aged between 18 and 20, for the tourist.
- Solicitation "Packages": He is seen negotiating a price of ₹10,000 for a package that allegedly included a hotel room and food.
- Persistence: The driver continued to pressure the tourist, claiming the encounter would "only take 20 minutes," despite the passenger’s visible discomfort.
Public Outcry and Official Response
The video has triggered widespread condemnation, with many social media users pointing out that such behavior severely tarnishes India’s global image as a safe travel destination.
- Police Intervention: Thousands of users tagged the Delhi Police, demanding immediate arrest and a thorough investigation into whether the driver is part of a larger human trafficking or prostitution ring.
- Official Stance: Authorities have acknowledged the viral content and stated that an investigation will be launched promptly upon the filing of a formal complaint.
"Incidents of this nature are a major setback for the tourism sector and the 'Atithi Devo Bhava' ethos of the country," noted a concerned travel industry expert on X (formerly Twitter).
The incident has once again put the spotlight on the need for stricter background checks and sensitization programs for public transport operators catering to tourists in major Indian cities.
.png)
The opinions posted here do not belong to 🔰www.indiansdaily.com. The author is solely responsible for the opinions.
As per the IT policy of the Central Government, insults against an individual, community, religion or country, defamatory and inflammatory remarks, obscene and vulgar language are punishable offenses. Legal action will be taken for such expressions of opinion.