Karnataka High Court to State: Don’t Trouble Bike Taxi Riders
Bengaluru, Aug 22: The Karnataka High Court on Friday directed the State Government not to harass individual bike taxi riders while the larger issue of regulating app-based services is still under discussion.
A Division Bench led by Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Joshi was hearing a case relating to bike taxis when Advocate General K. Shashikiran Shetty appeared for the State. The Advocate General informed the court that some app-based bike taxi services have recently begun operating, and explained that it was his responsibility to update the Bench on the situation before any official action was taken.
The Bench clarified that it had not passed any order preventing the government from taking necessary steps. However, it stressed that no coercive action should be taken against individual bike taxi drivers. “If required, appropriate orders will be issued, but for now, the State must ensure that riders themselves are not harassed,” the court observed.
Appearing for the bike taxi drivers, advocate Girish Kumar argued that the government could take legal steps against aggregators or applications but should refrain from targeting individuals whose livelihoods depend on this service. He also alleged that some personal vehicles had already been seized.
Responding to this, the Advocate General stated that these claims were not true and assured the court that no bike taxi riders were being arrested or detained.
Counsel for drivers further contended that running the business without an app is next to impossible as aggregators connect drivers with customers. He suggested exploring a commission-free model where riders could charge fair rates directly. The Bench, however, did not give a conclusive opinion and reiterated that no interim order would be issued at this stage.
Earlier, the State Government had told the High Court that the final decision on allowing bike taxi services would be taken at the “highest policy-making level.” The court had then advised the government to carefully evaluate the matter, keeping in mind that thousands of riders depend on bike taxis for their livelihood.
Source: Karnataka High Court proceedings, Bengaluru (Aug 22 hearing)
