Mumbai Cab Driver Creates Fake Instagram Account Labeling Woman as "Call Girl" After Toll Fee Dispute

A police case was filed under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita following a disturbing incident in Mumbai.

In Mumbai, a driver working for a ride-sharing service has been charged with creating a fraudulent Instagram profile for a female passenger and designating her as a "call girl" after she declined to pay a toll fee during their trip, according to police statements on Thursday.

The accused, identified as Vinay Kumar Yadav from Jharkhand, additionally published the woman's personal information on social media platforms. Police have not clarified how he obtained access to her personal data.

The incident began when the 31-year-old woman, a government employee, booked transportation from South Mumbai to Dadar. During the journey, Yadav reportedly demanded she pay toll charges, which she refused, resulting in a heated exchange.

Following this confrontation, Yadav allegedly began harassing the woman with repeated phone calls and verbal abuse, prompting her to block his number.

Shortly thereafter, the woman started receiving unwanted calls from unknown individuals. Upon investigation, she discovered that someone had created a fake Instagram account using her photograph, describing her as a "call girl" and including her contact information.

After filing a complaint with the social media company, she learned that the cab driver was responsible for creating the account. The woman subsequently reported the matter to Dadar police.

Based on her complaint, authorities registered a case under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita pertaining to "word, gesture or act intended to insult modesty of a woman" and defamation, as well as under provisions of the IT Act, according to the official FIR.