Minorities Commission serves notices in Uber driver’s suicide case

The Andhra Pradesh State Minorities Commission has served show cause notices to Uber management, Telangana Government and Hyderabad City Police in the suicide case of Uber driver Mohammed Zaheeruddin.

Led by its president, Syed Nizamuddin, a delegation of Telangana State Cabs and Bus Operators Association (TSCBOA), on Tuesday submitted a petition before Minorities Commission chairman Abid Rasool Khan complaining of inaction by the authorities over the death of Zaheeruddin, a driver who committed suicide due to alleged cheating by Uber management. They alleged that neither Transport Department nor the police officials took the suicide case seriously and efforts were being made to hush up the matter.

Uber Driver Zaheeruddin committed suicide by hanging to the ceiling at his residence in Golnaka in Amberpet Police Station limits on November 17. While the drivers and cab operators associations alleged that the Uber management was directly responsible for the suicide, the Uber officials contended that the suicide was due to some property dispute. “We informed the Commission that the Uber management was trying to distort fact to hush up the case. When Zaheeruddin did not leave any suicide note, how did the Uber management came to a conclusion that the cause of suicide was land dispute? He was facing financial problems due to dishonouring of promises made by the Uber. He was under pressure from the financiers from whom he borrowed money to buy new car to get it engaged with the Uber,” Syed Nizamuddin said.

Admitting the complaint, the Commission has served Show Cause Notices to Uber management, Transport Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Police (East Zone) of Hyderabad City Police. (NSS)