The Delhi High Court has directed all app-based cab aggregators, including Ola and Uber, to provide details of their drivers and get their antecedents verified by police.
“I cannot compromise the safety of passengers using taxi services in Delhi,” said Justice J R Midha, who has directed the government and the police to check if all cab drivers have a valid licence for their vehicles. The directions were issued after the bench took note of a recent incident where a foreign tourist was allegedly molested by an Ola cab driver. The bench has directed the transport department to appoint a nodal officer to collate the information and file a report.
All taxi operators are directed to give details of their drivers along with their taxis’ registration numbers and details of driving licences within two weeks,” said the court. “If someone comes to Delhi from another country and hires a taxi and if a driver commits a crime, who will be held responsible? There should be some safeguards,” it added.
The court has asked authorities to check “criminal antecedents” of the drivers after taxi operators provide the requisite information. The court also asked the government to file an affidavit on the issue within four weeks. It also clarified that there should be no duplication in cases where the government has already carried out verification. “If they (all taxi operators) do not comply with the order, the government can move the court for further directions,” said the judge. The next hearing is on July 22. The court was hearing a plea filed by Magic Sewa, which alleged violation of norms on fares charged by taxi services.
