An Indian-origin taxi driver in Wales has claimed he was racially abused by a group of passengers, who accused him of being an Islamic State (Isis) terrorist, said reports.
Kanak Hirani said he was forced to throw the four men out of his cab because of the abuse and that they did not even pay the fare.
The 37-year-old had picked up them from Cardiff city centre on Friday at 3:45 am, to be taken to Ambassador Suite in City Road, reported Wales Online.
On the way, the passengers asked him to stop at a McDonald's restaurant and after that asked him to go to Western Avenue.
At this point, the passenger sitting in the front seat spat on the floor and when he asked the reason, he denied doing it.
Without knowing where they were headed to, the driver sought £20 cash up front, which was recorded on the meter.
"They said they had the money and would pay me when they got up there and they gave a little verbal abuse to me. They threatened to knock me out. I said there's no need for this and that I didn't know them," Wales Online quoted Hirani as saying.
"One of the guys said, 'How do I know you're not from ISIS?' At that point I pushed the panic alarm and that's when they got out," he added.
Hirani has filed a formal complaint with the police and handed over video footage taken after he hit the panic alarm.
"I didn't disrespect them and I tried to calm down the situation. I was glad when they got out of my car," he said. "I have been driving for a year and a half, and I've never had an incident like this. You get the odd bit of verbal abuse but because you're in your driver's seat you feel safe."
