New Delhi: A delivery rider, identified as Rishabh Kumar, was brutally assaulted at a Zepto store in Delhi’s New Ashok Nagar area after being forced to squat like a chicken as a form of punishment, police said on Monday. The incident occurred on Sunday in Kondli, which falls under the jurisdiction of the New Ashok Nagar police station in East Delhi. The entire episode was captured on CCTV cameras installed at the store premises.
According to officials, the assault reportedly followed an incident in which Rishabh sprayed himself with a perfume from the store, which was noticed by other employees. He was allegedly subjected to humiliating treatment and beaten brutally.
Police Register Complaint, Investigation Underway
The New Ashok Nagar police have registered a complaint and initiated an investigation into the matter. Officials said the CCTV footage is being examined, and further action will be taken based on the findings. The victim is currently undergoing a medical examination, and legal proceedings are being initiated as per the law.
Growing Concerns Over Gig Workers’ Safety
The incident comes just days after another Zepto delivery executive was allegedly attacked by two scooty riders following a road rage altercation. With repeated assaults on gig workers surfacing, concerns about their safety and rights continue to grow. Delivery workers had also staged a nationwide protest on New Year’s Eve, demanding better pay and working conditions.
In a related development, the Labour Ministry recently proposed a 90-day annual work threshold as a mandatory criterion for gig and platform workers to access social security benefits under the Social Security Code, 2020. The draft rules were published on December 31, marking a step toward extending social protection to gig economy workers.