Rapido’s plea that challenged the Maharashtra government has been declined by the Supreme Court.
However, the company has been given permission to approach the Bombay High Court about the same.
Rapido’s Plea Challenging Govt of Maharashtra Declined By Supreme Court
On February 7, the Supreme Court rejected Rapido’s request for relief from the Maharashtra government’s refusal to issue the company a license as a two-wheeler bike taxi aggregator.
Rapido was given permission by the supreme court to appeal Maharashtra’s January 19 notification to the Bombay High Court even though the apex court denied it relief. The SC has requested that the Bombay High Court consider Rapido’s challenge without considering its earlier ruling.
The Motor Vehicles Act, as amended in 2019, makes it clear that aggregators cannot operate without a valid license, according to the Supreme Court.
Additionally, Maharashtra has been tasked with deciding by March 31 whether or not to allow bike taxi aggregators.
Rapido’s Appeal Against Bombay High Court January Ruling
Rapido had filed an appeal against the Bombay High Court’s ruling from January, which had rejected the company’s claim that the State government had wrongfully denied it a licence to operate as an aggregator of two-wheeled bike taxis.
The government resolution (GR), issued on January 19 by Maharashtra, banned the use of non-transport vehicles, including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers from aggregation. This will ensure road safety for the general public and passengers at large, which was also contested by the bike taxi and auto aggregators.
The GR stated that if non-transport vehicles are allowed to be aggregated, it would necessitate careful consideration of the rules, terms, and framework.
Rapido Banned Across Maharashtra; High Court Says Rapido Is Illegal Without License
The Bombay High Court had previously ordered the bike-taxi aggregator Rapido to cease operations in Maharashtra because the service was being provided without a permit. There will be a suspension until January 20.
After hearing a challenge to a communication sent to Roppen Transportation Services Private Limited by the state government on December 29, 2022, refusing to grant them a bike taxi aggregator licence, the HC issued the order. Roppen Transportation Services Private Limited operates Rapido in Pune and Mumbai.
On Friday, a division bench of Justices Gautam Patel and SG Dige ordered Rapido to immediately halt all of its services within 30 minutes of the decision.
The business offers auto-rickshaw, two-wheeler passenger, and two-wheeler goods transport services.
