College student conned by cab drivers at Bengaluru airport, pays ₹4,220 for ride till JP Nagar: Report

A college student was scammed by cab drivers at Bengaluru's airport, paying ₹4,220 for a ride till his JP Nagar residence.

Published on: Jun 27, 2025, 17:41:00 IST

By HT News Desk | Written by Yamini C S, Bengaluru

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

In a shocking incident, a college student returning from Japan was conned by two cab drivers outside Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in the early hours of June 20. The victim, identified as Sandeep Penakalapati, had exited Terminal 2 when a man approached him offering a ride to his J P Nagar residence for ₹1,000 — lower than standard app-based fares, The Times of India reported.

Fraud at Bengaluru airport: Two cab drivers charge ₹4,220 for a ride from the Kempegowda International Airport till JP Nagar. (Unsplash/@Paul Hanaoka)

ALSO READ | Kannadiga man shares ‘concern’ as he predicts locals may disappear from Bengaluru in 10 years

Trusting the offer, Sandeep got into the car, which was driven by a second man. A few minutes into the ride, the driver passed Sandeep a phone, claiming there was a trip confirmation call. On the line was the first man, who abruptly revised the fare: a base charge of ₹899, ₹50 per km, and a 1.9 per cent night-time surcharge - totalling over ₹4,000.

ALSO READ | Kannadiga man shares ‘concern’ as he predicts locals may disappear from Bengaluru in 10 years

When Sandeep protested and asked to get out, the driver refused to stop, locked the doors, and continued driving at speed. He finally halted near Esteem Mall and demanded ₹4,220. With no choice, Sandeep paid up, after which the driver dumped his luggage on the roadside and sped off, the report stated.

Sandeep’s father, Pradeep Penakalapati, a builder from Andhra Pradesh, filed a police complaint in this regard, after which the incident came to light. KIA police have now arrested the suspects, namely — Santosh (46) and Kabiruddin (33) — who are now in judicial custody, the report said.

ALSO READ | 'Please forgive us, Gowdre': Redditors discuss current state of Bengaluru on Kempegowda Jayanti

Police say this is not the first such incident near the airport and confirmed Santosh’s name had come up in previous complaints, though this is the first time a formal case has been filed against him.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest City News, local updates, weather alerts and breaking stories from Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and other major cities across India on Hindustan Times.