A disturbing incident inside a Zepto store in East Delhi has reignited national concern over the safety and dignity of gig economy workers.
A delivery rider, identified as Rishabh Kumar, faced brutal assault and public humiliation after employees allegedly forced him to squat like a chicken as a form of punishment before beating him.
The shocking episode unfolded on Sunday in the Kondli area, under the jurisdiction of New Ashok Nagar police station, and CCTV cameras captured the entire incident.
Police officials stated that the confrontation began after Rishabh Kumar allegedly picked up a perfume bottle from the store and sprayed it on himself.
Store staff reportedly noticed the act and responded not by following legal procedures, but by subjecting the delivery rider to degrading treatment.
The attackers allegedly compelled him to perform repeated squats and then physically assaulted him, leaving him visibly injured.
The New Ashok Nagar Police have registered a complaint and launched a formal investigation. Officers are closely examining CCTV footage to identify those involved and establish accountability.
Police confirmed that the victim is undergoing a medical examination and that legal proceedings will follow strictly under applicable laws.
This incident has surfaced at a time when concerns over the safety of gig workers are intensifying across India.
Only days earlier, another Zepto delivery executive suffered an assault in a separate road rage incident involving two scooter riders, who allegedly beat him and left him injured on a public road.
Together, these cases point to a troubling pattern of vulnerability faced by delivery personnel.
Gig workers across the country have repeatedly raised alarms about unsafe working conditions, lack of protection, and absence of institutional support.
Protests and Policy Developments
On New Year’s Eve, delivery executives and platform workers staged nationwide protests, demanding fair pay, dignity, and stronger safety mechanisms.
Against this backdrop, the Labour Ministry recently proposed draft rules under the Social Security Code, 2020, introducing a 90-day annual work threshold for gig and platform workers to qualify for social security benefits.
Published on December 31, the proposal signals a policy shift toward the formal recognition of gig workers’ rights.
As investigations continue, the Delhi assault case has amplified calls for stricter enforcement of labour protections, corporate accountability, and zero tolerance for workplace violence in India’s rapidly expanding gig economy.
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