In a chilling incident highlighting rising concerns about women’s safety in India, a woman in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, accused a Zomato delivery agent of sexual harassment. The woman, who chose to remain anonymous, shared her harrowing experience on social media platform X, detailing how the delivery driver allegedly exposed himself while delivering her food order.
The incident occurred on the night of August 27th, during a heavy downpour. The woman had ordered coffee, and due to the rain, the delivery was delayed. When she inquired about the delay, the delivery driver, identified as Shwetang Joshi, apologized profusely while smiling, which made the woman feel uncomfortable. However, she initially brushed aside her unease, attributing it to the heightened awareness of safety concerns in the country.
The driver continued to speak about an injury he had sustained, pointing at his foot as he stood at her doorstep. When the woman shone her flashlight on his feet to inspect the injury, she alleged that Joshi’s genitals were exposed. He then allegedly laughed and mockingly said, “Mam, please help krdo (Please help me).”
Immediately after the incident, the woman reported it to Zomato. However, she was dissatisfied with the initial response she received. The customer service representative informed her that they would hear both sides of the story, which the woman found unacceptable given the seriousness of the situation.
Frustrated by the lack of immediate action, the woman took to social media to express her outrage and concern about the safety of ordering food in such situations.
Zomato responded by swiftly taking action. They terminated Joshi’s account and revoked his delivery license. While the woman acknowledged the company’s efforts, she expressed lingering concerns about her safety, fearing the possibility of Joshi returning to her address.
To address her concerns further, Zomato offered the woman legal assistance.
This incident has sparked widespread debate about the safety of food delivery services and the need for stricter measures to protect women from harassment. It also highlights the importance of companies taking swift and decisive action in response to such allegations.
