An Indian-origin Uber driver has been sentenced to jail in New Zealand for raping a teenage passenger in 2023.
Satwinder Singh, an Indian-origin Uber driver in New Zealand, has received a sentence of seven years and two months in prison for raping a teenage passenger in 2023. The incident occurred during a short late-night ride from Speight’s Ale House to Hamilton East, as reported by the NZ Herald.
Singh diverted the cab by switching off the GPS, creating the false impression that the trip had ended. When the teenager’s dress shifted, he asked if she was wearing underwear and ignored her protests of “no, can you not?” and “get off me”. Cameras captured his vehicle despite the GPS trick, and the victim was later dropped at a friend’s home in distress.
Satwinder Singh claimed to police that the encounter was consensual and made derogatory remarks about New Zealand women being “forward and promiscuous”. His counsel requested a sentence reduction, citing hardships as a Sikh Indian who had lived in New Zealand for only 11 years, arguing prison would be tougher for him than for locals.
The judge rejected this, noting Singh’s extensive public interactions as an Uber driver meant he understood local norms and deserved no special treatment. A plea to suppress his photo, due to a relative’s mental health issues, was also denied.
