Uber, Rapido Booked for Running Illegal Bike Taxi Services in Mumbai Without Permit

Mumbai | June 19, 2025 : In a significant crackdown on unauthorized transportation services, the Azad Maidan Police have registered a case against ride-hailing giants Uber and Rapido for allegedly operating illegal bike taxi services in Mumbai without valid permits from the Maharashtra State Government or the Regional Transport Authority (RTA).

The case was initiated following a formal complaint filed by Sachin Atmaram Patil (49), a Motor Vehicle Inspector, who accused both companies of running bike taxi services through their mobile applications despite not being issued licenses under the appropriate legal category.

According to the complaint, Uber and Rapido have been collecting fares from passengers through their platforms, thereby making profits while violating government regulations. Authorities claim the companies have been conducting unauthorized passenger transport operations, constituting fraud and a breach of public safety norms.

The First Information Report (FIR) has been registered under Section 318(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as well as multiple sections of the Motor Vehicles Act—including Sections 66, 93, 192A, 146, 193, and 197—along with Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act.

A senior official from the Azad Maidan Police Station confirmed that no permits have ever been issued to either Uber or Rapido for operating two-wheeler taxi services in the state. The companies are also accused of promoting such unauthorized services by encouraging unlicensed drivers to participate in the operations through their digital platforms.

“The companies have not obtained the mandatory permissions for operating bike taxis in Maharashtra. Running these services without proper licenses not only violates transport laws but also compromises commuter safety,” said an official familiar with the investigation.

The case has sparked renewed debate over the regulation of app-based transport aggregators in India, especially concerning newer mobility models like bike taxis, which often operate in legal grey zones across states.

The investigation is currently underway, and further legal action may follow based on the findings.