NEW DELHI: He languished in jail for over four months for a sexual assault which the court says he never committed. His children were mocked and ostracised in school and his family was reduced to penury. His brother, who was looking after the family, went into depression .

For 35-year-old Ramesh Kumar , life took a sudden turn on April 9 this year when he says he demanded his agreed fare of Rs 500 from a woman who had hired his cab late at night in Dwarka. As an argument ensued, the woman tried to bite her way out and flee. When he tried to stop her, cops reached the spot, alerted by a PCR call made by a passerby about a brawl.

Kumar's pleas about his innocence went unheard. He was arrested and within no time had been named as the second rapist cabbie on the prowl after the Uber incident. It was a nightmare for him. He found himself in jail number 4 of Tihar the next day. He had a new identity: Inmate number 3519.

"I did not get any sleep at night. I recalled each and every scene from that night but couldn't figure out why I was here. Should I have allowed her to go without paying my fare just because she was a woman? I told cops to get her medically examined but they said they were bound by law and that I will have to prove my innocence in court," Kumar told TOI on Wednesday.

The family struggled with day-to-day expenses, school fees and ration. In between this, someone allegedly from the woman's side offered to come to their rescue, he claims. "A person claiming to be from their side said we could pay Rs 5 lakh and settle the matter. We were shocked! We were struggling to meet our ends here and they were demanding such a huge amount. We didn't say a word as we had faith in the judiciary," says Kumar's wife.

By July-end, the family's savings began to dry up. Kumar's brother, who was managing the family and supporting them financially, went into depression because of the humiliation and hardship. "I used to save Rs 700-800 a day by driving the cab. However, my family had to make do with as little as Rs 100 a day. My wife, who came to meet me twice a week, looked frail and ill. I didn't know what to do and was giving up hope," he says.

But the tide turned. Kumar was granted bail on August 12. "I was determined to have my family and kids back on track. I first went to get my mobile but the cops said they had no idea about it. I then somehow got my cab, a van, released on supardari. It was in a bad shape but I borrowed money and got it repaired. I began working day and night to fix things," Kumar added.

Thanks to a fast-track court, Kumar's ordeal ended a few days ago when he was acquitted of the charges. "I and my family went home with my head held high after months. We stood outside our home and spoke to neighbours. There was unease but we were happy. The blot was off my head. I am hoping things will change for good," says Kumar as he puts his keys into the ignition of his van - the cab which once made him infamous.

