A Chinese mobile application is reportedly being used to shut down e-rickshaws via Bluetooth on the roads. Viral videos on the internet show influencers and content creators walking or riding upto “tirris” and using Battery Management System apps to activate the discharge switch of the vehicle using a simple Bluetooth connection.
The video shows the drivers of the vehicles stranded and confused.
Videos of the pranks have gone viral on Instagram, YouTube, Reddit and X and have racked up millions of views.
The people who conduct the pranks use apps like BAT-BMS, Lossigy, and Epoch-i-ion to connect to unsecured lithium-ion battery packs sold in the market.
The app can then be used to shut down the vehicle's battery using just a click. After the battery has been shut down via the app, only the app can restart it.
The accused persons have allegedly even posed as technical experts and then restarted the rickshaws within minutes, charging the drivers Rs 200 to Rs 300 for the "service."
E-rickshaw drivers say that cases of their vehicles shutting down have risen in recent days, with the virality of the videos demonstrating the prank.
The matter came to light after drivers and the Unorganised E-rickshaw Drivers and Operators Association lodged complaints.
A joint team of the Crime Branch, working under Additional SP Alok Sharma and the concerned police station have begun an investigation. One 18-year-old, Ritesh Bhanupa, was arrested on suspicion.
Police said that the weakness being exploited in the cases was linked to a lack of password protection in the BAT-BMS app and other similar apps, NDTV reported.
The matter has also reached the Delhi government.
Transport Minister Pankaj Singh told NDTV that while no formal written complaint has been received, people have raised the issue with him. He said the Transport Department has been directed to verify the authenticity of the BAT-BMS application and examine the claims surrounding its use.
"I have yet to get a written complaint, but people flagged me on this issue in my office. So I have asked to get the correct information on the issue," Singh said.
According to a senior Delhi government official, the app is primarily designed to monitor battery parameters such as voltage, temperture an current in real time,
"There is no password or authentication. As a result, cutting the power output and bringing the vehicle to a sudden halt becomes easy," the official said.
The BAT-BMS app has now introduced password security after the controversy; however, other apps with similar functions can still be used to kill switches on e-rikshaws. The app is developed by Shenzhen Grenenergy Technology Co. It has reportedly been removed from Apple’s app store but is still available on Google Play. \Lossigy is still available on both app stores.
Insaaf Khan, an e-rickshaw dealer, said around 40 to 50 vehicles had already come to his workshop with similar complaints.
"We've been receiving these complaints for the last four days. Around 40 to 50 e-rickshaws have already come to us with the same problem. Earlier, we managed to fix them using one company's app after entering the password, but now we're seeing cases linked to a new app as well,” he said.
According to drivers, the issue goes beyond technology. One driver who spoke to NDTC said that an unexpected shutdown could bring his work to a halt. "We had to push the e-rickshaw all the way here. We are poor people; this is our only source of livelihood. If our e-rickshaw stops working like this, how are we supposed to earn a living?" Raushan Lal said.
Police in Ujjain have advised drivers not to pay money to unknown people who offer help when their vehicles stop suddenly and to contact only authorised service centres or company technicians. They have also asked drivers to note photos, videos, or registration numbers of suspicious persons offering help and report the matter to the nearest police station or call the Cyber helpline 1930 or 100/112.
