The auto driver, who allegedly assaulted a woman passenger on Tuesday night near Shanthinagar, was arrested by the Ashok Nagar police on Friday.
According to the police, the driver has been identified as Rajendra, 45, from Sunkadakatte. He was arrested based on the complaint lodged by Sujatha Nandy (name changed), a social activist, for assault and demanding excess fare.
The driver had reportedly demanded Rs 150 for a two-km ride but the woman refused to pay and instead clicked the picture of the auto’s registration number, and threatened to complain to the police. All hell broke lose when the angry driver started clicking Nandy's photographs, and pushed her.
The woman alleged the driver threatened her with dire consequences and asked other drivers not to drop her. Nandy then lodged a complaint at the Ashok Nagar police station. Police traced Rajendra through the photo of his vehicle’s registration number, which she had clicked. His vehicle bearing registration number KA 02/AD 450 was seized.