BAT-BMS App Misuse Sparks E-Rickshaw Safety Concerns; Delhi Probes Viral ‘Tirri Control’ Trend, Apps Removed

New Delhi: A viral social media trend known as “Tirri Control” has raised serious concerns for e-rickshaw drivers across India, especially in Delhi, after reports claimed that moving e-rickshaws could be switched off within seconds using a mobile phone and the BAT-BMS app. Authorities have launched investigations, a suspect has been arrested in Ujjain, and both the BAT-BMS and Epoch Li-ion apps have been removed from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Experts, however, warn that the real security flaw lies in unsecured Bluetooth-enabled lithium batteries.

What Is the Viral ‘Tirri Control’ Trend?

Over the past few days, a dangerous trend called “Tirri Control” has gone viral on social media in several Indian cities, particularly Delhi.

Initially seen as a prank, the trend soon became a serious issue for e-rickshaw drivers after videos showed vehicles being stopped remotely.

According to reports, the issue is linked to the BAT-BMS mobile application, which was originally developed by a Chinese company to monitor lithium batteries. The app was designed to check battery charging status, voltage, temperature and battery health. However, some individuals allegedly began misusing it.

How the BAT-BMS App Allegedly Worked

Reports state that many low-cost e-rickshaws operating in India use Chinese-made lithium batteries whose Bluetooth connections were left open without any password or security protection.

This security weakness reportedly allowed any person standing within 10 to 15 metres of an e-rickshaw to connect to the battery using a mobile phone and press the “Discharge Switch”, causing the moving vehicle to stop suddenly.

After doing so, pranksters allegedly recorded the confused drivers and uploaded the videos on platforms including Instagram, YouTube, Reddit, and X.

Drivers Faced Serious Problems

Several viral videos reportedly showed e-rickshaw drivers stranded in the middle of roads.

According to the reports:

• Some drivers had to pay ₹100 to ₹200 to others to get their vehicles running again.
• One video showed an elderly e-rickshaw driver pushing his disabled vehicle for nearly three kilometres, a scene that saddened many social media users.

Experts Say Not All E-Rickshaws Are Affected

Cyber security experts said not every e-rickshaw is vulnerable to this issue.

They noted that:

• Older e-rickshaws using lead-acid batteries do not have Bluetooth capability.
• Some modern lithium battery systems are also not affected because the app does not work with them.

Delhi Government Begins Investigation

Following the incident, Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Singh said the government is treating the matter very seriously.

He stated that switching off another person’s vehicle without permission is an illegal act, and the police would take action against those involved on their own.

The Delhi Transport Department has launched an investigation into both the BAT-BMS and Epoch Li-ion applications.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has also started examining the security of these apps and whether they comply with Indian laws.

Ujjain Police Arrest Youth

In Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh Police arrested a youth who is accused of using the same app to stop e-rickshaws and upload videos of the incidents on social media.

The investigation is ongoing.

BAT-BMS and Epoch Li-ion Apps Removed

Following government action, both the BAT-BMS and Epoch Li-ion applications have been removed from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

The report noted that the BAT-BMS app alone had been downloaded more than 100,000 times from the Google Play Store.

Experts Warn the Real Problem Still Exists

Cyber security experts warned that simply removing the apps will not completely solve the problem.

According to them, the main security flaw is not in the mobile applications, but in lithium batteries whose Bluetooth connections remain open without proper security protection.

Experts also cautioned that with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI), anyone could create a similar application within minutes and install it on a mobile phone without using an app store.

They stressed that while modern technology makes life easier, even a small cyber security weakness can create major risks. They called on smart device manufacturers to implement strong cyber security measures to protect people’s lives and property.

The viral “Tirri Control” trend involving the BAT-BMS app has highlighted serious security concerns surrounding some Bluetooth-enabled lithium batteries used in low-cost e-rickshaws, particularly in Delhi. Authorities have launched investigations, a suspect has been arrested in Ujjain, and the BAT-BMS and Epoch Li-ion apps have been removed from app stores. However, experts say the investigation continues and the real issue lies in unsecured battery systems rather than the apps alone.

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