A taxi driver operating under one of Australia’s largest cab companies has been exposed for systematically mistreating and defrauding his disabled passengers.
The shocking revelations came to light only after authorities arrested him for drink-driving while on duty.
A thorough joint investigation by The Age and 60 Minutes uncovered disturbing CCTV footage showing the driver, Jarnail Singh, assaulting vulnerable passengers, failing to secure their wheelchairs, and fraudulently charging them for trips they did not take.
Singh, who was employed by 13cabs, pleaded guilty to an astounding 499 offences, including multiple counts of fraud and assault.
Singh’s crimes came to light when Victoria Police arrested him for driving under the influence. Reviewing two weeks’ worth of CCTV footage from his taxi, investigators uncovered a disturbing pattern of abuse. Senior Constable Tim Schnepf, the lead investigator, described the scenes as “unbelievable.”
“He was drinking while driving, not securing wheelchairs, and repeatedly assaulting his passengers. It was horrifying to watch,” Schnepf said. Footage showed Singh slapping a female passenger on the head with significant force, leaving her visibly shocked and defenceless.
Further evidence revealed Singh deliberately crammed more passengers in wheelchairs into his taxi than legally allowed and failed to apply safety measures, putting his customers at extreme risk.
The investigation also found he was routinely overcharging disabled passengers, fraudulently activating their transport accounts while they were not in the vehicle, and manipulating taxi meters to extract extra money from them.
The case has sparked widespread condemnation from disability advocates, consumer rights groups, and members of the judiciary, who argue that the taxi industry lacks effective oversight to prevent such egregious offences.
Authorities are now calling for urgent reforms to protect vulnerable passengers and prevent similar abuses from happening in the future.
“This widespread defrauding suggests a fundamental failure within the industry to regulate itself,” said Australia’s Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Rosemary Kayess. “People with disabilities are being treated as easy targets, and it has to stop.”
The investigation also revealed significant gaps in the fraud detection systems of 13cabs, raising concerns about the lack of accountability within the industry. Despite Singh’s extensive criminal activities, the company failed to detect his fraudulent transactions or his mistreatment of passengers.
The revelations have prompted calls for stricter regulations within the taxi sector. Magistrate Kieran Gilligan, who sentenced Singh to a two-year community corrections order and a $20,000 fine, said laws governing taxi drivers needed urgent reform to allow for harsher penalties, including jail time.
“The victims were vulnerable and defenceless,” Gilligan said. “The government must revisit the Commercial Passenger Vehicle Industry Act to impose stronger penalties.”
Family members of Singh’s victims were left heartbroken by the extent of the abuse. Sandy Guy, whose son Liam was among those defrauded and assaulted, called for immediate government intervention to protect disabled Australians from further mistreatment.
“Singh treated my son like an animal. This isn’t just one bad driver – it’s an industry problem that needs urgent fixing,” she said.
This case is just one example of a growing problem in the taxi industry. Many passengers, particularly those who are disabled, elderly, or vulnerable, continue to report cases of fraud, overcharging, and mistreatment.
Regulatory bodies are now under pressure to introduce mandatory safety checks, increase audits, and ensure that all taxis are equipped with working CCTV cameras. Advocates argue that companies must take responsibility for protecting their passengers and ensuring their drivers act with integrity.
“The taxi industry must change. If they don’t regulate themselves properly, the government must step in and enforce strict oversight,” Kayess said. “It’s not just about the money being stolen – it’s about dignity, safety, and basic human rights.”
