In a significant setback for bike-taxi aggregators, the Supreme Court has stayed the Delhi High Court's order, thereby reviving the ban on their operations in the national capital. The ban, initially imposed by the Delhi government, has been reinstated by the Supreme Court.
The Delhi High Court had previously granted temporary permission to aggregators such as Rapido and Uber, allowing them to continue their services without licenses until the final policy is officially notified. This decision has now been overturned by the Supreme Court.
AAP Govt to Frame Guidelines and Licensing Policy
The ruling Aam Aadmi Party government has assured the apex court that it will formulate and submit comprehensive guidelines and a licensing policy for bike taxi aggregators by July 31. The aim is to establish regulations and control the operations of these aggregators effectively.
Delhi Govt Appeals Against High Court Order
The Delhi government filed an appeal against the high court order, which had stayed a notice to bike-taxi aggregator Rapido and permitted its operation until the final policy is in place. A bench comprising Justices Aniruddha Bose and Rajesh Bindal passed the order in response to this plea.
The Supreme Court declared that an interim order, which stays the implementation of a statutory regime until the policy is finalised, is unnecessary. Consequently, the court stayed both the impugned orders passed by the Delhi High Court, reinstating the ban on bike-taxi aggregators.
Delhi HC Halts Transport Department's Notice
On May 26, the Delhi High Court stayed the public notice and show cause notice issued by the city's Transport Department, effectively suspending the operations of ride-sharing platforms. The division bench of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Neena Bansal Krishna instructed the Transport Department to refrain from taking any coercive measures against Rapido and other ride-sharing platforms until a comprehensive policy is formulated.
Bike Taxi Aggregators Prohibited Without Commercial Permits
In February, app-based aggregators were barred from operating bike taxis without commercial permits. The Transport Department ordered an immediate halt to bike taxi services provided by these platforms and warned of penal action for any violations. The use of bikes for commercial purposes was deemed to be in violation of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. (With IANS inputs)
