Mumbai Taxi Driver Faces Arrest for Extreme Overcharging
Mumbai authorities have taken a 50-year-old permit taxi driver into custody after he allegedly defrauded an American woman by demanding Rs 18,000 for a mere 400-meter journey near the city’s international airport. The incident, which unfolded on January 12, involved the victim arriving in Mumbai from the United States for professional reasons.
The driver, identified as Deshraj Yadav from Sahar Village, picked up the woman, Argentina Ariano, at the airport intending to transport her to a nearby five-star hotel. Rather than following the shortest route, Yadav reportedly circled the Andheri East neighborhood for about 20 minutes to simulate a longer trip. Upon arrival at the hotel, which was just under half a kilometer from the starting point, he insisted on the inflated payment.
Viral Social Media Post Sparks Investigation
The episode gained attention on January 26 when Ariano posted a video on social media detailing her experience. Her account quickly amassed over 100,000 views, igniting public anger. In the post, she described being misled right after her arrival.
Ariano wrote: “Landed in Mumbai recently and took a taxi to @HiltonHotels. The driver and another guy took us to an unknown location first, charged us $200 (?18,000), and then dropped us at the hotel which was only 400m away. Taxi No: MH 01 BD 5405 #taxidriver #mumbai #RepublicDay2026 #india.” She included the vehicle’s registration number, which proved crucial for authorities.
Local police from the Sahar station launched a probe based on the widely shared content. Unable to reach Ariano immediately, they filed a First Information Report on their own initiative on January 27, amending it the following day. Charges were brought under Sections 318(4) for cheating and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Arrest and Ongoing Probe
Using the provided taxi details, officers located Yadav in Sahar Village and impounded the white Toyota Etios involved. The arrest occurred just three hours after the case was formally opened, and Yadav appeared in court, where he was placed in judicial custody.
Investigators believe a second person, Taufiq Shaikh, participated in the scheme, though he remains at large. Efforts are underway to capture him. Officials emphasize how platforms like social media can expose such misconduct and have pledged rigorous enforcement against those targeting visitors.
The inquiry continues to explore if Yadav and his accomplice have a history of similar offenses.
Pattern of Overcharging Incidents
This case echoes recent reports of fare exploitation in the area. On December 24, 2024, a 49-year-old Australian NRI businessman, D Vijay, was charged Rs 2,800 for a 10-minute trip from the airport to a Vile Parle hotel. Following his complaint, police detained the driver, Vinod Goswami, aged 32.
Earlier, on December 14, 2024, authorities arrested auto-rickshaw operator Ritesh Kadam, 26, for demanding Rs 3,500 from a 19-year-old chemical engineering student from the US, Vishwajeet Patil of Sangli. The student, back in India for a college break, was en route to Dadar railway station after landing at the airport, where the meter read only Rs 106.
