We are back in Delhi: Uber e-mails rape survivor

Uber rape victim’s lawyer on Friday expressed surprise at the re-entry of the taxi service firm in Delhi, saying he is not confident that the “India-specific safety measures” the company assures of putting in place will prevent another attack on its passengers.

Douglas Wigdor said that Uber had the “audacity” to send an e-mail directly to his client in which it said that it has re-entered the market in Delhi, only weeks after the tragic incident with the young woman and during the criminal trial of the Uber driver.

“While we have no doubt that Uber is focused on it’s bottomline, we are surprised by this development as we had made it clear to Uber that the rape victim wanted to be part of a consultation process regarding safety procedures to ensure that no other person becomes a victim at the hands of an Uber driver.

“Most unfortunately, this has not happened and we have no confidence that the touted ‘India-specific safety measures’ will prevent another attack,” said Wigdor.

Wigdor, a prominent New York lawyer, has been hired to represent the 26-year-old woman executive allegedly raped by an Uber driver in New Delhi on December 6.

Wigdor had said that he had met “extensively” with the woman and her family while in Delhi and “I can only compliment them for their bravery and fortitude during this very difficult time”.

He said he 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.”

Uber has said it will improve passenger safety by introducing additional measures including more stringent driver checks, an in-app emergency button and a dedicated incident response team.

India is Uber’s largest market outside the US.

Photograph: David Ramos/Getty Images