Delhi HC issues notice to Uber, Ola, Rapido on women's safety
The Delhi High Court has issued notices to Uber, Ola, and Rapido over a PIL seeking stricter safety protocols for women using ride-hailing services.
In a significant move toward enhancing passenger security, the Delhi High Court has issued notices to major ride-hailing giants Uber, Ola, and Rapido. The court is also seeking responses from the Central Government and the Delhi Government regarding a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that demands much tougher safety protocols for women using app-based taxi and bike services.
A Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia, emphasized the need for corporate responsibility. The bench made it clear that the judiciary intends to hold private ride-hailing operators strictly accountable for the safety mechanisms they provide to their passengers.
Accountability for private operators
The court's decision comes as it seeks to address gaps in the current safety landscape of the gig economy. During the proceedings, the bench observed, “We want to make the private operators of the taxi apps accountable. That is the reason we are issuing notices.”
The PIL, filed by Aditya Sehgal, highlights several critical vulnerabilities in the current system. Legal counsel for the petitioner pointed out that while these companies operate over two lakh cabs in the Delhi-NCR region, there is a glaring lack of oversight, particularly during late-night hours. Specifically, the plea noted that no significant checks are performed after 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM to ensure drivers are not operating under the influence of alcohol or stationed at strategic locations like airports without proper authorization.
Key demands for a safety overhaul
The petitioner is seeking a comprehensive transformation of how ride-hailing services operate. The legal plea outlines several specific requirements to protect commuters, including:
- Strict Verification: Ensuring that the driver and vehicle provided actually match the details shown on the mobile application.
- Penalty-Free Cancellations: Allowing passengers to cancel rides without any financial penalty if an unauthorized driver or vehicle arrives, treating such instances as official safety events.
- Emergency Infrastructure: The establishment of 24x7 command and control centres capable of responding instantly to SOS alerts.
- Real-time Data Sharing: Sharing booking details, driver identities, and live locations with law enforcement and emergency responders during crises.
- Route Monitoring: Implementing automated alerts if a vehicle deviates significantly or inexplicably from the mapped route.
Proposed measures for female commuters
To specifically address the concerns of women traveling alone, the PIL suggests innovative solutions such as a pool of verified female drivers. This would allow women to request or be preferentially matched with female drivers, depending on availability and operational feasibility.
Furthermore, the plea calls for periodic gender-sensitivity training for all drivers and increased surveillance at isolated or vulnerable locations. It also seeks a time-bound grievance redressal system to handle serious complaints involving harassment, assault, or driver misconduct.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on December 16, after the concerned parties file their respective replies.