HC seeks govt response on whether Ola plying in violation

Delhi High Court today asked the city government and traffic police to give a report indicating whether app-based cab service provider Ola was operating in the national capital in violation of its orders.
Justice Manmohan sought a status report from Delhi government on steps taken to enforce the court's decisions upholding the transport department's January 1 ban on such companies till they complied with the modified Radio Taxi Scheme.
The order came on the plea of the Association of Radio Taxis which claimed that ANI Technologies Pvt Ltd, which operates under brand name of Ola, was still running in the city in violation of court orders.

The association has alleged that Ola has been operating in the city despite a July 29 order of a single-judge as well as a August 11 decision of a division bench of the high court upholding the ban.
The association has sought initiation of contempt action against Bhavish Aggarwal, CEO and founder of Ola, for the company's alleged operations in violation of court orders.
Its lawyers placed bills of Ola cab services availed on August 12, 13 and 14 and contended that the company was still running.

The court, however, asked how it can be said that the bills were of diesel Ola cabs and not cabs run on CNG.

In reply, the association's counsel contended that it was an admitted fact that all taxis contracted by Ola are diesel cabs having All India Tourist Permits (AITP).
The counsel also termed as "inconceivable" that Ola could have converted 50 per cent of its fleet of diesel cabs to CNG, as stated in news reports, since the July 29 interim order.
The court, however, asked why the transport department had not come with a contempt plea and sought a status report from Delhi government in order to cross-check claims of the association with the ground reality.