Mumbai Airport: Taxi Driver Arrested After Foreign Passenger Allegedly Overcharged Near
Mumbai Police : have arrested a licensed taxi driver accused of cheating a visiting American professional by charging an unusually high fare for a short journey near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The arrest followed a social media post by the passenger that quickly drew public attention and prompted police action.
Incident Reported Shortly After Arrival
According to officials, the incident took place on January 12, shortly after the woman arrived in Mumbai from the United States for work-related travel. She hired a taxi from the airport to reach a nearby five-star hotel, located less than half a kilometre away. Instead of taking a direct route, the driver allegedly drove around the Andheri East area for close to 20 minutes, creating the impression of a longer trip.
Alleged Overcharging for Short Distance
Police said the driver later dropped the passenger at a hotel in the same locality and demanded Rs 18,000 for the ride. Investigators determined that the actual distance between the airport and the hotel was approximately 400 metres, raising concerns about deliberate misrepresentation of the journey. The amount charged was significantly higher than standard airport taxi fares for such distances.
Social Media Post Sparks Swift Response
The case came into focus on January 26 when the passenger, identified as Argentina Ariano, shared a video on social media platform X describing her experience. In her post, she alleged that she had been taken to an unfamiliar location before being charged the excessive amount. She also shared the taxi’s registration number, which helped authorities identify the vehicle involved. The post gained over one lakh views within hours and triggered widespread criticism online.
Police Register Case and Identify Accused
After the video went viral, Sahar Police began an inquiry. As they were initially unable to contact the complainant directly, officers registered a First Information Report on their own initiative on January 27, later updating it the following day. The case was filed under provisions related to cheating under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Using the registration details shared online, police traced the taxi to Sahar Village. The driver was identified as Deshraj Yadav, a 50-year-old permit holder residing in the area. The vehicle, a white Toyota Etios, was seized as part of the investigation.
Arrest and Judicial Proceedings
Yadav was arrested within three hours of the FIR being registered, police said. He was produced before a local court and has been remanded to judicial custody. Investigators confirmed that another individual was involved in the alleged scam. The second suspect, identified as Taufiq Shaikh, remains at large, and teams have been deployed to locate and arrest him.
Officials Emphasise Tourist Safety
Senior police officers stated that the case underlines the role of social media in highlighting crimes that might otherwise go unreported. They reiterated that strict action would be taken against drivers found exploiting tourists or visitors, especially in sensitive areas such as airports. Authorities are also examining whether the accused were involved in similar incidents in the past.
Similar Cases Reported in Recent Months
The arrest follows other recent cases of alleged overcharging near Mumbai airport. On December 24, 2024, an Australian non-resident Indian businessman reportedly paid Rs 2,800 for a 10-minute taxi ride to a hotel in Vile Parle. After he lodged a complaint via email, Sahar Police arrested the driver involved.
Earlier, on December 14, 2024, an auto-rickshaw driver was taken into custody for charging Rs 3,500 from a 19-year-old US-based student for a journey that should have cost just over Rs 100 according to the meter. Police said the student had arrived in Mumbai during a college holiday and was travelling to Dadar railway station at the time.
Ongoing Investigation
Police confirmed that investigations are continuing in the latest case to establish the full sequence of events and determine whether additional victims were targeted. Authorities have urged passengers arriving in Mumbai to use authorised transport services and report any irregularities promptly.