Maharashtra Cybercrime police have launched action against alleged illegal bike taxi services across the state, after a complaint from the office of Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik. Notices were sent to mobile app store platforms to remove applications facilitating unauthorised operations. The notice cites Maharashtra Cyber’s goal of preventing widespread use while protecting public safety and enforcing legal compliance. The notice references Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, warning app stores of potential liability if they fail to act.
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has written to the state cyber crime department asking for an immediate shutdown of app-based bike taxi services by Ola, Uber and Rapido. He alleges they operate without permissions and warn of action under the IT Act and Motor Vehicles Act, citing safety gaps like weak driver verification, insurance and emergency systems, plus a fatal incident last February.
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Karnataka has filed a special leave petition in the Supreme Court against a January 23 High Court order that allowed bike taxi operations, including permits and yellow number plates. The state argues the High Court overstepped by directing registrations and cites safety, congestion and pollution. The dispute has stalled services for riders and aggregators, while Karnataka is also reportedly drafting a future policy to legalise bike taxis.
Karnataka is reportedly drafting a policy to legalise bike taxi services, even as it moves to challenge a High Court order that had cleared the way for such operations. The state says the earlier ruling suffered technical flaws, while bike taxi operators worry about the lack of clear rules as the matter heads to the Supreme Court.
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