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Taxi Driver and Assistant Arrested for Threatening US Tourist Over Fare Dispute at Kolkata Airport

Authorities registered a suo motu case after a viral video revealed the men drove the tourist 15 km off course before extorting extra fees under threats of ‘mafia connections’.

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Overview

  • Dustin, a US travel vlogger, requested a ride to Hotel Great Western on Park Street after landing at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport.
  • Driver Manoj Roy instead diverted to The Westin in Rajarhat, roughly 15 km from the intended destination, and demanded additional payment to correct the route.
  • Accomplice Alamgir Molla forced Dustin to pay an extra Rs300—Rs200 for a cab switch and Rs100 for parking—while threatening violence under the guise of ‘mafia connections’.
  • The video Dustin posted on YouTube quickly went viral, prompting widespread outrage and calls for stricter regulation of airport taxi services.
  • Kolkata Police arrested the two men on Thursday and said they will review measures to safeguard tourists using airport taxis.