Hyderabad Airport Cab Driver Arrested for Rape of Airline Cabin Crew Member While Driving Her to Duty

A 23-year-old cab driver has been arrested for allegedly raping a 37-year-old cabin crew member of a private airline after diverting her office cab to a secluded location while she was on her way to Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) to report for duty, police said.

The incident took place on July 20 when the woman boarded an airline-arranged cab from Shamshabad to the airport. Instead of taking the designated route, the driver allegedly drove towards a secluded area near an under-construction site close to the airport before carrying out the assault.

Driver Allegedly Diverted Cab Before Assault

According to Shamshabad ACP V. Sreekanth Goud, the accused told the woman he was stepping out to answer nature's call before returning to the vehicle. Karnataka Gang Rape Case: 3 Arrested for Assaulting, Extorting West Bengal Woman.

Police said the driver re-entered the cab through the rear door and allegedly raped the woman inside the vehicle.

The survivor resisted the assault and managed to push the accused away before opening the car door and running out while shouting for help. A nearby worker responded to her cries, following which the accused fled the spot in the cab.

Survivor Filed Complaint at Airport Police Outpost

The woman immediately approached the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport Police Outpost and lodged a complaint.

Based on her statement, police registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges of rape and assault, and launched an investigation. Maharashtra: Woman Alleges Gang Rape Over Unpaid Tractor Rent in Jalgaon, 4 Arrested.

Accused Arrested, Sent to Judicial Custody

Police identified the accused as Errapogu Prashanth Kumar, a resident of Telangana's Rangareddy district. He was traced and arrested on July 21, a day after the incident.

According to investigators, the accused confessed to the crime during questioning. After undergoing a medical examination, he was produced before a local court, which remanded him to judicial custody.

Police Ask Airline to Review Employee Transport Safety

Investigators said the cab service was operated by a local transport agency hired by the airline to ferry employees to and from the airport.

Following the incident, police have asked the airline to review its safety protocols for employee transportation, particularly for women staff travelling to and from the airport.

The airline is cooperating with the investigation and extending all necessary support to the affected employee. Further investigation is underway.

Women and Child Helpline Numbers:

Childline India – 1098; Missing Child and Women – 1094; Women’s Helpline – 181; National Commission for Women Helpline – 112; National Commission for Women Helpline Against Violence – 7827170170; Police Women and Senior Citizen Helpline – 1091/1291.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 23, 2026 11:13 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).