An app cab driver allegedly sprayed something on the face of a woman passenger sitting on the backseat after they picked a fight over dropping her friend on the way to the booked destination, the woman has reported to police.

The driver, who allegedly fled with the women’s belongings, has been arrested.

The incident happened on Jatin Bagchi Road, near Vivekananda Park, around 8.35pm on Tuesday when the 19-year-old complainant and her 25-year-old friend were returning home in the hired cab.

The complainant had booked the cab from Mahanirvan Road, near Gariahat, for an address in Haridevpur around 8.20pm.

“My friend was supposed to get off near Tollygunge Phari. Once we mentioned that, the driver said we should add the destination to our booking and that the fare would change, too. The moment he turned his face towards us and started talking, I realised he was intoxicated,” said the 19-year-old college student.

The woman alleged that when she protested about his state of intoxication, the driver said the smell was that of a sanitiser. “Before I could react, he got hold of a can and sprayed something on my face. It blinded me for a few minutes and my eyes started watering. My friend and I started screaming for help,” she said.

The driver then apparently lost control of the car and the vehicle rammed into a road-side railing. “Just when the car stopped, the driver again turned towards us and tried to touch my feet as if trying to apologise. But while doing so, he touched me indecently. I screamed. My friend and I jumped off the car leaving our belongings inside,” she said.

The vehicle sped away from the spot with both its rear doors open. The women reported the incident to Rabindra Sarobar police station.

The driver, arrested early on Wednesday, has been booked for outrage of modesty of the woman and theft.