Delivery boys' arrest shocks Bengalureans

Bengaluru: The arrest of a couple of delivery boys for the molestation of a woman in Kammanahalli has sent shock waves among Bengalureans accustomed to ordering food through apps  late night or engaging in online shopping. 

Said Ms. Anusha Rai, a software professional, “We often order food late at night through various apps and the  delivery boy arrives with it. Now I wonder if he will attack me if he comes to know that I am  home alone.

It is sad that  courier companies hire people with criminal backgrounds. I often see bill boards inviting applications for the jobs of courier boys and they don’t insist on education or a background certificate.”

Last year a few women activists had launched an online campaign demanding mandatory background verification for food/ courier delivery boys by the companies concerned. 

But  many local service providers reportedly still don’t insist on candidates producing Back Ground Verification (BGV) certificates. However, when contacted, several courier companies with presence across the country, claimed the certificates had now been made mandatory for all  delivery executives.

“There are no police guidelines in this matter. But keeping in mind the safety of our customers we issue appointment orders for our executives only after they produce the BGV. The problem is with a few local service providers, who are not registered with the police or any government agency. They simply hire college going students, who want to make some extra money,” said a manager of a private courier company.