A 35-year-old Indian-origin taxi driver based in California has been taken into custody and formally charged in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a young woman who was found unconscious in his vehicle. The Ventura County Sheriff's Office confirmed the arrest of Simranjit Singh Sekhon, a resident of Bakersfield.
Details of the Alleged Assault
According to the investigation, the incident took place in the early morning hours of 27 November 2025. Authorities state that Sekhon picked up the 21-year-old victim from a bar in Thousand Oaks around 1:00 am to drive her to her home in Camarillo. Police reports indicate the woman was heavily intoxicated and incapable of looking after herself.
During the trip, the passenger reportedly fell asleep. Investigators allege that despite marking the ride as completed, Sekhon continued to drive around Camarillo with the unconscious woman in his cab and then sexually assaulted her. The Major Crimes Sexual Assault Unit began looking into the case in November after receiving a formal complaint related to an assault reported in Camarillo.
Arrest and Court Proceedings
Simranjit Singh Sekhon was arrested on 15 December and booked into a pre-trial detention facility. He faces a charge of raping an unconscious person. Prosecutors have cited the victim's vulnerable state as an aggravating factor in the case.
During his arraignment in court, Sekhon entered a plea of not guilty. The court has set his bail amount at $500,000. His next court hearing is scheduled for 29 December.
Ongoing Investigation and Broader Context
The Ventura County Sheriff's Office has stated that the investigation is still active. Detectives are examining whether Sekhon might be involved in other, similar incidents that have not yet been reported. They have urged anyone with relevant information or who may be another victim to come forward.
Authorities have not disclosed which specific rideshare or taxi service Sekhon was working for at the time of the alleged crime. Details regarding his immigration or visa status have also not been made public.
This case emerges during a period of increased scrutiny over rideshare safety across North America. Law enforcement agencies are consistently encouraging passengers to report any misconduct and witnesses to assist with ongoing probes.
In a separate and unrelated incident, a 28-year-old Indian-origin man, Abhijit Patel, has been formally charged with first-degree murder in Schaumburg, Illinois, for allegedly killing his 67-year-old father with a sledgehammer over the Thanksgiving weekend.
