A division bench of the Karnataka High Court on Friday declined to stay a single-judge order that suspended bike taxi services across the state.
The two-judge bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice V. Kameshwar Rao and Justice Sreenivas Harish Kumar, was hearing appeals filed by ride-hailing giants Uber, Ola, and Rapido (Roppen Transportation Services) against the April 2 order directing them to halt operations within six weeks.
The suspension, initially set to take effect in May, was later extended till June 15. With the latest ruling, bike taxis will remain banned from June 16 unless the court intervenes in subsequent hearings.
Next Hearing
The bench has now adjourned the matter to June 24 and directed both the bike taxi companies and the state transport department to submit their arguments on merit by June 20.
During the hearing, senior advocate Dhyan Chinnappa, representing the petitioners, requested interim permission to continue bike taxi services until the next hearing. However, the court refused, stating that no stay could be granted since the government has yet to finalize new regulations for bike taxis.
Government Faces Questions Over Delay In Policy
The bench questioned the state transport department on the delay in framing rules for bike taxi operations. The Karnataka government has been working on a regulatory framework but has not yet formalized the policy, leaving the sector in legal limbo.
The April 2 order had given bike taxi operators six weeks to wind down services, but companies like Ola, Uber, and Rapido sought extensions, leading to the current deadline of June 15.
What’s Next for Bike Taxis in Karnataka?
With the suspension now in effect, thousands of bike taxi riders face uncertainty. The court’s next hearing on June 24 will be crucial in determining whether these services can resume under new guidelines.
For now, the Karnataka transport department’s crackdown on unauthorized bike taxis continues, leaving commuters and gig workers in a tough spot. The companies, meanwhile, are pushing for a swift resolution, arguing that bike taxis provide affordable last-mile connectivity and livelihood opportunities for many.
The case highlights the ongoing tussle between innovation and regulation in India’s rapidly evolving mobility sector. Stakeholders now await the court’s final decision later this month.
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