Vineet Mahajan was parked at a taxi rank in South Auckland when a group of young adults entered in his cab and assaulted him in the early hours on Tuesday.
The 48-year-old Indian cabbie claims he was assaulted after he demanded the passengers pay an advance fare in line with the company policy.
“We ask our passengers for fare upfront during night time, as we have been ripped off many times in the past,” he said.
Mr Mahajan told Indian Weekender the infuriated passengers repeatedly punched in his face and one of them kicked him as well.
“I requested them to pay at least $15-20 in advance, and the difference could be adjusted after the completion of the journey,” said Mr Mahajan.
“They declined to pay anything in advance, to which I politely requested them to leave my cab, but they were not keen to leave the car as well.
“When I asked them to please leave my car otherwise I would have to call the cops, they got infuriated and started hitting me with punches.
“One of them quickly came out of the car and started kicking me after opening the door,” he said.
The driver then managed to press the panic button in the cab to seek emergency help from the cab base.
Mr Mahajan said he also pressed the horn of his car which caused a passing vehicle to slow down, distracting the attackers momentarily during which time he managed to drive his cab to safety as the two assailants jumped out of the vehicle.
He was later provided first aid by the police before being taken to a hospital.
Mr Mahajan says he faced a similar assault six months ago as well and that police couldn’t arrest the attackers.
