A young woman who hired a motorcycle taxi service to return home from Alipore on Sunday night was allegedly molested by the driver, who asked her questions about her body and her relationship with her boyfriend, she has alleged.

The woman, who was dropped one stop after her destination at Garfa and had to walk back home through a deserted stretch, was allegedly stalked by the biker, she has mentioned in her complaint.

Based on her complaint with the police on their Facebook page, the accused biker has been arrested.

The woman has mentioned in her complaint that she booked the bike ride around 9pm on Sunday from Desi Lane in Alipore.

“According to the complainant, the driver started a casual conversation with her and then asked questions about her personal life and her relationship with her boyfriend,” said an officer at Garfa police station.

The driver also allegedly asked her questions about her body, which made her uncomfortable.

When she refused to reply, the driver allegedly refused to drop her at the assigned destination, the police said.

“It was only when she protested and threatened to scream and alert the people around that the driver dropped her at Ganguly Pukur, one stop after where she was supposed to alight,” the officer said.

The woman has told the police that the biker had stalked her and made indecent gestures at her while she was walking back home from Ganguly Pukur.

After reaching home, the woman lodged a complaint with the customer care of the taxi bike service and the Facebook page of the Calcutta police. The cyber cell at Lalbazar took note of the complaint and forwarded it to Garfa police station.

Officers from the police station contacted the woman and took all details related to the two-wheeler and the driver. The accused — identified as Aslam Hossain, 39, a resident of Haridevpur — was arrested early on Wednesday from a hideout not far from his home.

Hossain has been booked under IPC sections related to outrage of modesty of women, outrage of modesty of women by means of words and gestures and stalking.

If convicted, he could be jailed for up to five years.

The police said they would question officials of the taxi bike company and seek background details of the driver.

“Drivers in app cabs and taxi bikes should be employed only after a thorough background check. In this case we are yet to ascertain whether the person has any criminal history or not,” said a senior officer.

Travel tips

⚫ Carry pepper spray for safety

⚫ Send picture of the hired cab/bike and its number to a family member or friend

⚫ Assign mobile numbers of some family members / friends on the speed dial of your phone

⚫ Dial 100 in case of an emergency