'Never take a cab that has people in it'

Victim of robbery, attempted gang rape talks of lessons she learnt the hard way

Victim of robbery, attempted gang rape talks of lessons she learnt the hard way

The Mumbai doctor harassed and robbed on the Bangalore-Mysore highway, looking back at the incident, advises lone women travellers to never board a cab which already has people accompanying the driver.
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The accused in the case were arrested today. "Now, thinking of it, I feel that we should not have boarded that taxi.

In fact, girls should avoid boarding cabs with two people in it," said Dr Shalini Pal Naik. "Also, it is important to note down the number of the cab before you take it."

Carry pepper spray

Shalini added that one should carry the numbers of the authorities concerned and, especially, route maps in a new city. She also advises women to keep pepper sprays and light weapons in their handbags.
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Still recovering from the shock, Naik said that it would take her some time to board a cab again. "Even in Mumbai before taking a cab, at least for a few days, I will feel the jitters," she said.

The friend who was with her, Anumedha Sharma,u00a0 said she was also scared after the experience and girls should be careful to take precautions. "You should note down the number of the cab and check the identity card of the driver," Sharma said.

Sachin Naik, Shalini's husband added more to the safety measure list, "Once you are in the cab you must text the number immediately to somebody close. Then it becomes easier to track."

Accused arrested

The police arrested Kumaraswamy, the driver and his companion Dayanandswamy from Kamakshipallya yesterday evening.

They tracked the car by the number and retrieved goods worth Rs 90,000.u00a0 The police retrieved the ATM cards, mobile phones, jewellery and other objects.
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"We produced the offenders before the court," said BT, Chandraswamy, Inspector of Gyanabharathi police station.

Naik and her friend Anumedha Sharma from Mumbai came to Bangalore to appear for the postgraduate exam at the KLE Medical College.

They hired a taxi to go to the Indian Social Institute, Benson town. But instead the cab driver began moving towards Bangalore-Mysore highway.
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Stopping the cab in an isolated place, they robbed the women of their belongings and attempted rape.
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Presence of mind saved the women, as Naik opened the cab door and halted an approaching bus, when the accused ran away.

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