Didi required to give money for clues in murder case

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‍A water rescue team that discovered the body of a Didi driver who allegedly murdered his passenger has asked the car hailing company to fulfill their promise: to reward a million yuan (155,800 US dollars) for providing clues toward cracking the case.

On May 6, a 21-year-old female passenger surnamed Li from central China’s Zhengzhou City was found dead after using Didi Hitch, a service matching passengers with car owners heading in the same direction.

Didi was under fire for its security loopholes after the case triggered wide criticism from the public. As the police investigation proceeded, the company made a public apology to Li and her family and announced their decision to offer up to a million yuan for any clues leading to the suspect driver Liu Zhenhua.

Didi's reward announcement on social media platforms /guancha.cn Photo

Two days after the announcement, on May 12, a local water rescue team volunteered for a search mission and discovered Liu’s body in a river. Police later confirmed through DNA testing that the body belonged to the suspect, who reportedly committed suicide after raping and killing his passenger.

The water rescue team volunteered to search for the suspected killer. /Chinanews Photo

As the case concluded, the water rescue team tried to contact Didi for the reward, but couldn’t get a response from the company.

“We asked for the reward and tried to negotiate with Didi after the case concluded,” Fu Jian, the lawyer representing the rescue team told the Legal Evening News. “But we couldn’t reach them ever since. Whenever we called we got hanged up.”

Rescue workers during operation /ifeng.com Photo

CGTN tried to reach Didi through the number provided in the reward announcement, but the line was always busy.

The news triggered another round of hot debate as netizens started questioning Didi’s credibility. On Friday, Didi responded to public concern stating they would fulfill their promise, but on the condition that the individual or group claiming for the reward has to prove the validity of the clue.

“Because we have received multiple requests from individuals and groups claiming for the reward, we hope that related parties can provide concrete, valid evidence that is verified by the police,” Didi told media outlet guancha.cn. “Once confirmed, we will offer the reward to the individual or group we see most appropriate.”

Didi Hitch was suspended for a week following the incident and made a few security enhancements before resuming service on May 19. Drivers can no longer comment on passengers’ appearance nor pick up passengers after 10 pm.