HC asks Uber to inform about number of new diesel cabs

The Delhi High Court today asked app-based cab company Uber to inform it about number of new diesel cabs it has added to its existing fleet since November last to ferry passengers on point-to-point services in the national capital.
"You file an affidavit with respect to the number of new diesel taxis you have purchased since November 6, 2015, till date for carrying passengers on point-to-point in the National Capital Territory of Delhi," Justice J R Midha said.
The court's direction came on a plea by ANI Technologies, the company that owns Ola, seeking contempt action and direction to restrain Uber from plying diesel taxis on the capital roads on point-to-point basis.

Senior Advocate Aman Lekhi, appearing for Ola, submitted that despite undertakings given before the court that Uber will phase out its diesel vehicles from Delhi before March 31, they were buying new taxis for plying on Delhi roads.
While pointing out two instances that drivers are allowed to ply Uber diesel taxis, Lekhi also claimed that Uber was not complying with the October 14 order and inducting more such cabs in its fleet.
"They (Uber) are flouting the court October 14, 2015 and November 6, 2015 order, which clearly prohibits using of the diesel cabs and shifting to CNG vehicles," the counsel said, adding that this act of Uber attracts contempt proceedings against them.

Senior advocate Rajiv Nayar, appearing for Uber, opposed Ola's plea and said it should not be entertained as they were their competitors.

"The two instances pointed by Ola has no authenticity and are also not supported by any affidavit," Nayar said, adding that the company was complying with the court's order and using only CNG cabs in Delhi.
On this, the court asked Ola to file an affidavit within two days with regard to the instances it has pointed in their contempt petition.
The court said after the affidavit comes, it will decide whether to initiate contempt proceedings against Uber or not. It listed the matter for preliminary hearing on March 4.

The high court on October 14 had asked all app-based cab companies to ply diesel-run taxis from point to point in the national capital till March this year, by when they will have to shift completely to compressed natural gas.