Delhi rape victim plans to sue Uber in US

A 25-year-old woman allegedly raped by an Uber cab driver in Delhi in December last year plans to sue the smartphone taxi service for negligence in the US courts.

A 25-year-old woman allegedly raped by an Uber cab driver December last year plans to sue the smartphone taxi service for negligence in the US courts.

According to The Guardian, she will be represented by high-profile lawyer Douglas Wigdor, who acted for the maid in the Dominique Strauss-Kahn case

Wigdor said he was examining the possibility of asking a US court to exercise jurisdiction in the case because Uber's conduct was based on company policy made in the US. He said there was a substantial body of case law to suggest the court would consider doing so, Guardian reported.

"I can confirm that I have been retained by the young lady who was raped by an Uber driver in Delhi, India, last December. Having met extensively with her and her family while in Delhi, I can only compliment them for their bravery and fortitude during this very difficult time. We will use all of our resources to vindicate my client's rights, hold those responsible for their actions and ensure that this doesn't happen again," Wigdor said as quoted by Guardian.

Earlier on Thursday, and corroborated her statement given to the police against him.

This was the first day of the trial in the rape case that shocked the Capital and was conducted in-camera in the court of additional sessions judge Kaweri Baweja.

Sources told HT the cab driver sat in the corner of the same room while the woman, cloaked in a black burqa, was examined before the judge.

While the young woman’s examination was conducted by special public prosecutor Atul Srivastava, her statement will be put to the test of cross-examination by the defence counsel on Friday.

Court sources said the victim identified Yadav in the courtroom. Her examination was in line with her statement to the police, they added, saying there had been no inconsistencies in her deposition.

On January 13, amid high drama, Yadav was charged with kidnapping, criminally intimidating, raping, and endangering the life of the 25-year-old woman on December 5, 2014. He pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution had stated that Yadav be charged with raping a woman while endangering her life; kidnapping a woman with the intent to rape her; criminal intimidation and assault. If convicted, Yadav could face a lifetime in jail.

The chargesheet in the case was filed December 24 last year - 19 days after the rape - and a magistrate court took cognizance of the chargesheet on January 5.

In the over 100-page chargesheet submitted, the police had cited 44 prosecution witnesses to support its case.

The police have relied on forensic evidence and placed on record the route map of the car in which the crime was committed.