Cab driver beaten by passenger in the Bronx speaks out

BELMONT, The Bronx (WABC) -- A cab driver is speaking out after being attacked on the job in the Bronx by a passenger that police say made anti-Muslim threats as he assaulted his victim.

One look at Sirajul Islam Khan's swollen face gives you an idea of the fury of the beating he received this weekend. Days later, he still has black eyes and bruises on his lip and ears.

"Hitting, hitting, hitting," he said. "Unbelievable."

Khan was attacked by a passenger he picked up a parking lot in Bedford Park Saturday night. He says when they reached their destination, the suspect initially paid him, then snatched back the money in addition to all of Khan's cash and his cell phone.

At first, the passenger was punching from the back seat. But police say he opened the driver door and pulled Khan out of the car. Khan, a native of Bangladesh, said the suspect threatened him because he is Muslim.

"One time, he tell me, 'You stupid Muslim driver, I'm going to kill you,'" he said.

Khan said a good Samaritan eventually intervened, and the 50-year-old was checked out at the hospital and is now recovering at home.

His family is shocked.

"How mad were you beat him?" daughter Onita Naznin said. "What did he do to you that got you so upset that you had to keep beating him?"

Khan, who has been driving a cab for about a year, said nothing like this has ever happened before.

Police are still searching for the suspect, and at this point, the incident has not been classified as a hate crime.