BENGALURU, 21 MARCH

A software engineer, Anita (name changed), 30, faced a disturbing experience with a Swiggy delivery boy who allegedly sexually harassed her at her residence in AECS Layout on 17 March.

According to the Police, the incident unfolded after Anita ordered food and offered the delivery person water as a courtesy. After having the glass of water, he supposedly left, but moments later, the man returned, requesting to use the washroom. Anita directed him and then, upon his request for another drink, asked him to wait by the door. But shockingly, he followed her into the kitchen and grabbed her hand. She bravely fought back, yelling and hitting him with a frying pan before he fled.

The police officer at HAL police station, told Salar News, “An FIR has been registered under IPC Section 354(A) (sexual harassment) based on the complaint and the CCTV footage that was recovered, the accused has been identified and taken into custody.”

Anita alleged the company failed to respond quickly to her complaint and withheld the delivery person's information, even after she reached the police station. Only when a police officer suggested mentioning the company by name did they finally reveal his phone number. 

This further raises the question on the company's hiring process for delivery personnel. It's unclear if the drivers are given background checks or undergo any specific training related to customer interaction and appropriate behaviour. Repeated calls to the food app aggregator Swiggy for their reaction by Salar News went unanswered.