Delhi High Court issues notices to Ola, Uber over passenger safety concerns
The Delhi High Court has issued notices to ride-hailing platforms Ola, Uber, and Rapido, along with central and local government bodies, in response to a public interest litigation concerning passenger safety. The court has directed the respondents to file their replies by December 16.
The Delhi High Court issued notices on September 30 to ride-hailing companies Ola, Uber, and Rapido, as well as the Centre, the Delhi government, and Delhi Police. These notices are in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking enhanced safety measures for women using app-based cab, bike-taxi, and other ride-hailing services. The court has directed the respondents to submit their replies ahead of a further hearing scheduled for December 16.
The PIL, filed by Aditya Sehgal, calls for a review of existing safety arrangements and mandatory protocols for ride-hailing platforms. During the court hearing, the petitioner's counsel highlighted concerns that app-based companies operate over two lakh cabs in Delhi-NCR but inadequately screen drivers, particularly during nighttime operations. The counsel specifically raised issues regarding the lack of checks for driver intoxication or other potential risks after 8 or 9 PM.
The petition requests mandatory criminal background checks for all drivers and measures to ensure that the driver and vehicle details displayed on the app consistently match the assigned ride. It also seeks provisions for passengers to cancel rides without penalty if drivers or vehicles change without authorization, with such changes to be logged as safety incidents. Furthermore, the PIL advocates for 24/7 command and control centers to manage emergencies and SOS alerts, facilitating information sharing with police and emergency responders, subject to privacy laws.
Additional demands include automated alerts for significant route deviations, surveillance in vulnerable locations, and periodic, verifiable gender sensitivity training for drivers. The petition also seeks a time-bound system for handling complaints related to harassment, assault, or failures in emergency response, along with better coordination between platforms and law enforcement. It proposes creating a pool of verified female drivers, whom solo female passengers could request or be prioritized for, subject to availability. The court has listed the matter for further consideration on December 16.