Lucknow Police have yet to arrest the woman who openly and repeatedly slapped the taxi driver 22 times after a riot at a busy city intersection. An FIR was however registered against it.
The woman, Priyadarshini Narayan Yadav, accused the taxi driver, Saadat Ali Siddiqui, of trying to run over her. The two have now filed
complaints against each other.
Asked if it was for publicity, Ms Yadav shot back asking if she is not allowed to defend herself. "Kam Pade hai, jyada padne chahiye the (They were too few, he deserved more). If the police had done their work, I would not have had to do it...They'll hit and run away, Self defence nahi karenge (Will I not defend myself). Is our life cheap? The police will get a postmortem done and send the body home. Who will be at a loss," Ms Yadav, who is accused of such acts in the past also, seems to be on the wrong side this time?
The incident occurred Friday evening in the locality of Krishna Nagar in the capital of Uttar Pradesh.
Mr Siddiqui, who spent 28 hours in jail after the incident, wanted to know why the police could not arrest Ms Yadav. The taxi driver's brother learned of the incident and went to meet him at the police station who was also locked up with him, he claimed.
"Are you going to run past a woman?" He is heard asking in the video as he continues the attack even as Mr Siddiqui appeals for support from onlookers to call the police. He said that she broke her cell phone. “Who's going to pay for this? It's my employer's phone. I'm a poor man… it costs 25,000,” he said.
Ms Yadav said she had been the victim of assaults in the past, adding that the police were aware of it. "They [the police] also came to my house. The police have my phone number and contact information for my family members. The allegations are baseless,” she said, accusing the police of harassing her family members and having previously visited her home without a warrant or report.
Moments later, she approached Mr Siddiqui and began his attack even before he stepped outside. She was seen picking up something on the street and throwing it in the car before turning around to hit another blow. Meanwhile, the slaps kept coming. She then tore the car's mirrors on both sides
Mr Siddiqui claimed that Ms Yadav also snatched ₹600 from her pocket and pointed to the video saying he was not breaking any traffic laws.
"I was slapped 22-23 times, I lost my self-esteem, I couldn't look people in the eye. They asked questions. I haven't left my house yet. I am an Ola driver, I am the only one who knows how I handle expenses, ”Siddique said.