Free cab service for women pan India from 10 pm to 6 am? Viral message is a hoax

What's the claim?

A widely circulated WhatsApp message claims that Indian police have launched a nationwide service offering free night rides for women who are unable to find transportation home. The message states that women can access this service by calling “1091” or “7837018555.”

The entire message reads: “Police have started a free travel scheme where any woman who is alone and is unable to find a vehicle to go home between 10 pm and 6 am can contact the police helpline numbers (1091 and 7837018555) and request a vehicle. They will work 24x7 hours. Control room vehicle or nearest PCR vehicle/ SHO vehicle will drop her safely to her destination. This will be done free of cost. Spread this message to everyone you know. Send the number to your wife, daughters, sisters, mothers, friends and all women you know.. Ask them to save it. All men please share it with all women you know. In case of emergency women can send blank messages or missed calls. so that police can find your location and help you. Applicable all over India (sic).”

The message lacks details about any specific state or city where this service might be available and claims nationwide applicability.

Screenshot of the viral message. (Source: WhatsApp/Modified by Logically Facts)

However, the claim is misleading. This service was initially introduced by the Ludhiana police in 2019 but was not implemented nationwide.

What did we find

Logically Facts found that this service was originally introduced by the Ludhiana police in 2019, aimed at enhancing women's safety and preventing crime. A Hindustan Times report from December 1, 2019, states that this initiative was launched following the gang rape and murder of a 26-year-old veterinary doctor on the outskirts of Hyderabad on November 29, 2019.

According to the report, Police Commissioner Rakesh Agrawal confirmed that women unable to find transportation between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. could call the helpline numbers — 112, 1091, or 7837018555 — to request a free ride home. This service is available daily, and either a Police Control Room (PCR) van or a Station House Officer (SHO) vehicle will escort women to their destinations at no cost.

Are the numbers still active?

The 1091 helpline is a nationwide number issued by the Central Social Welfare Board under the National Commission for Women (NCW). It is designed to support women in distress and remains active across India.

Logically Facts contacted the Ludhiana police regarding the other number, 7837018555. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Kaur Purewal confirmed that this number is operational. Inspector Rashpal Kaur, the Women Desk Help Officer (WHDO) in Ludhiana, also confirmed that while the service remains active, it is applicable only in Ludhiana.

Is this a nationwide service?

The helpline number "7837018555" was introduced by the Ludhiana police and is not a nationwide service.

Following the viral spread of the message, the Karnataka State Police issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter), labeling the message as fake (archived here). The Bengaluru City Police also issued a similar clarification on X (archived here).

Screenshot of a clarification by the Karnataka State Police. (Source: X)

The Hyderabad City Police also clarified on X (archived here), "We've seen #misleading information spreading on social media about a "free ride service" being offered by @hydcitypolice ,This is not correct, Always verify the facts with trusted sources before sharing. Spreading false information can cause unnecessary panic & confusion."

A screenshot of the Hyderabad City Police's post. (Source: X)

Based on the evidence, we confirm that the helpline numbers cited in the message, which claim to provide free cab service for women at night, are valid only in Ludhiana and are not a nationwide service.

The verdict

The claim of a nationwide free night ride service for women through specific helpline numbers is misleading. The numbers provided are valid only for a service in Ludhiana and are not applicable across India. Karnataka State and Hyderabad City Police have both confirmed that this viral message is fake.