Bike taxi ban looms in K’taka: Court upholds restrictions from June 16

Bike taxi riders in Karnataka face a looming ban as the state prepares to enforce a court-ordered suspension starting Monday, June 16. The Karnataka High Court’s single-judge bench, led by Justice B M Shyam Prasad, initially directed aggregator companies like Ola, Uber, and Rapido to halt operations by June 15, citing the absence of regulatory guidelines under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Challenging this order, the companies appealed to a division bench headed by Acting Chief Justice V Kameswar Rao, seeking interim relief. However, the division bench declined to grant a stay, affirming the ban across the state, including Silicon City.

Also Read:K’taka HC declines interim relief for bike taxi operators, services to remain suspended

The court emphasized that the state government has not framed rules for bike taxi operations, making interim relief unfeasible. This decision marks a setback for aggregators, who argued that the ban threatens the livelihoods of thousands of riders. The case has been adjourned to June 24, when arguments will be heard to determine the future of bike taxi services. Until then, the court has instructed aggregators to keep their vehicles off the roads, with non-compliance risking vehicle seizures.

The ban stems from ongoing legal battles over the legality of bike taxis, which operate with private registration plates for commercial use. Auto and cab unions have supported the move, while riders express concern over rising commuting costs. The state government now faces pressure to draft a policy within the stipulated timeframe to regulate this sector.