In a shocking incident in Bhubaneswar, cab driver Naga Parmanik allegedly abandoned a passenger returning from abroad and fled with valuables worth nearly Rs20 lakh. The Chandrasekharpur police arrested the accused on Thursday and recovered the stolen items.
The victim, Aman Kumar Agrawal, had recently returned from Thailand and hired a cab to reach his residence. According to his complaint, the driver stopped near the Chandrasekharpur petrol pump, claiming he needed to refill CNG. When Agrawal stepped out, Parmanik sped away with his belongings, which included diamonds, gold jewellery, and foreign currency, totaling around Rs20 lakh.
Police investigations revealed that Parmanik has four prior criminal cases, raising concerns over cab service background checks. ACP Sonali Parmar confirmed that authorities are examining how a driver with a criminal record was allowed to operate on the platform.
The incident has sparked public debate over passenger safety and the need for stricter verification protocols for app-based cab drivers. Further investigation into the case is ongoing.
