In a significant crackdown on unauthorized bike taxi services, Mumbai Police has filed cheating cases against app-based ride-hailing platforms Rapido and Uber. The action follows a detailed investigation conducted by the Regional Transport Office (RTO), where officers booked dummy rides to verify violations. This move reflects increasing regulatory scrutiny of bike taxi operations across Indian states.
How the Case Unfolded
According to reports, RTO officials lodged a formal complaint after discovering that both companies were providing passenger transport services via their mobile apps without valid licenses or government approvals. The complaint was filed under Section 318(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, with the FIR registered at Azad Maidan police station in Mumbai.
This is not the first time Rapido has faced trouble for such practices. Earlier in April, the company was served a notice for similar violations. The Transport Commissioner had already directed officials to act against aggregators violating state transport rules, triggering the present legal action.
Backdrop: Karnataka’s Statewide Ban
The Mumbai FIR comes on the heels of Karnataka’s strict ban on bike taxis. Following a High Court directive on June 16, operators including Rapido, Uber, and Ola were forced to suspend their bike taxi services statewide. The state government maintained that private two-wheelers cannot be used for commercial transport, declining to introduce any bike taxi policy.
Over 100 two-wheelers were seized in Bengaluru during enforcement drives, and attempts by these companies to rebrand or reposition their services were blocked by authorities.
What This Means for the Industry
The latest action highlights a growing divide between tech-based transport innovation and traditional transport laws. While bike taxis offer affordability and convenience—especially in congested cities—regulatory frameworks are yet to catch up with this evolving model.
The legal trouble for Rapido and Uber could set a precedent, prompting other states to tighten monitoring and enforce stricter compliance.
Conclusion
As India’s urban mobility ecosystem evolves, the future of bike taxis remains uncertain. Without clear policies, companies face operational disruptions and legal risks. Until regulations align with innovation, legal battles like the one in Mumbai may become more frequent, slowing down the progress of app-based transport services in the country.
