Gurgaon Police launch verification drive for cab drivers

Reiterating the need to monitor taxi drivers and fit cabs with GPS, the Gurgaon Police on Tuesday launched a verification drive aimed at preventing crime against women professionals.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Vinod Kaushik said the police had instructed the company owners to verify the background of the drivers and to monitor the cabs through GPS.

"The Gurgaon Police had earlier instructed cab owners and employers to verify their drivers and fit a GPS inside the cars. We are again reiterating those instructions. The drivers must write their numbers outside the cabs and the owners must monitor the cabs through GPS and confirm the character of the driver," Kaushik told ANI.

The verification drive comes in the wake of the alleged rape of a 27-year-old finance executive in the national capital by an Uber cab driver on Friday.

While the accused has been arrested and is now under a three-day custody, Uber has also been banned from operating in New Delhi.

An FIR has also been lodged against the international taxi-booking service under IPC sections 420, 34, and 188 for cheating customers on the pretext of providing safe commuting with duly verified driver.

The police have also questioned officials of the taxi service in New Delhi.

Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, while speaking in the Rajya Sabha, said all the states and Union Territories have been asked to ensure that unlicensed web-based cab services like Uber are banned from operating.