Amend law to regulate ride-hailing firms like Ola and Uber: SC tells Govt 

In wake of rising assaults incidents against women in app-based taxi services like Ola and Uber, the Supreme Court has asked the government to take measures to ensure security for them.

A three-judge bench headed by Justice SA Bobde said even if it requires amendment in law, “the centre should do it’. 

The bench was hearing a petition filed by Nipun Saxena. The bench asked her to give the government a recommendation to regulate ride-hailing firms operating in the country.

The bench also discussed setting up of One-Stop Crisis Centre for women. The govt was also asked to constitute such centres to address assault cases against women in each district in compliance with laid regulation.

Representing the petitioner advocate Indira Jaisingh said the regulation of ride-hailing firms are important as they are not governed by the Motor Vehicle Act and Information Technology Act.

The bench also comprised justices B R Gavai and R Subhash Reddy. 

The ruling has come after several instances of assaults reported in ride-hailing cars in the country.

Over the years, the cab aggregators have failed in ensuring the safety of its passengers. US-based ride-hailing firm Uber also hogged limelight after an incident of rape committed by a driver of the ride-hailing firm in 2014.

In December 2017, an Ola driver allegedly harassed a 23-year-old fashion stylist traveling in his cab in the city.

Last year in June, a driver was arrested in Bengaluru after sexually assaulting a woman passenger.  In the same month, the government came up with the idea to give women an option to allow them to choose their co-passengers while traveling in Ola and Uber. 

Many working women still complain about the security issue while traveling.