HC sets aside order rejecting Uber's licence to ply in Delhi

Delhi govt had cancelled the licence application of Uber for not complying with provisions of the recently amended Radio Taxi Scheme of 2006

Questioning the ban on certain app-based cab services, the high court here on Wednesday set aside an order of the city government, by which Uber’s application for a licence to ply in the national capital was rejected. Instead, it asked the transport department to impose conditions on the company to operate.

“I don't know if there should be a complete ban. I have doubts about it. How can you (Delhi government) stall someone like this? You can grant a conditional permission,” said judge Manmohan.

The court said since the court, on June 11, had set aside Delhi government's June 3 order, by which the application for a licence of two other app-based taxi services — Apra Cabs India Pvt Ltd and Serendipity Infolabs Pvt Ltd (Taxi for Sure) — were rejected, Uber India Technology Pvt Ltd was “entitled” to a similar relief.

It said as the government had not challenged the June 11 order, it could not “discriminate” against Uber, when relief had been given to Apra and Serendipity. The court gave the Delhi government the liberty to write to Uber within 10 days, informing the company about the “requirements it has to satisfy”.

“If the GNCTD (Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi) is not satisfied with the response, it will give the petitioner (Uber) one opportunity, to further be heard and give clarification. A decision will thereafter, be taken on the application made by petitioner and communicated to them, not later than four weeks thereafter,” it said and disposed of Uber’s plea, challenging the June 3 order.

The court also told the transport department of Delhi to impose any condition on Uber, in accordance with law, if it was inclined to grant licence to the company, and told the app-based cab service provider it could have to comply with the conditions.

The Delhi government had cancelled the licence application of Uber for not complying with provisions of the recently amended Radio Taxi Scheme of 2006.

The amendment was introduced after certain app-based cab companies were banned in the capital, following an Uber cab driver's alleged rape on a finance executive in December last year.

The modified scheme imposes various mandatory requirements, including having prefixed calibrated meters, a GPS device and running on CNG, on the companies for grant of licence.