Ola And Uber Should Be Regulated: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court stated today, all the app based transport service providers like Uber, Ola and RedBus need to be regulated to adopt a stricter stance on women’s safety. The remarks by the SC Bench were made after senior advocate Indira Jaising said several incidents of crimes committed by the drivers of such services were reported recently.

The Centre will be examining the issue and will also set up a regulatory mechanism for the Internet based service providers. A bench consisting of Justices Madan B. Lokur and Deepak Gupta agreed to examine the plea after it was alleged that some of the companies are foreign based and were not willing to come within the jurisdiction of the Indian courts. The hearing for creating a regulatory regime is scheduled for 7 December 2017. “The issue of regulating public transport including internet based taxi services will be taken up on December 7,” the bench said.

According to Indira Jaising, who will be assisting the bench as the amicus curiae, app based taxi service providers do not conduct background checks on drivers. Citing the recent ban enforced on Uber in London, she added the operators have left the commuters vulnerable to sexual harassment and other crimes. “These companies who run the app based tax services do not have company headquarters in India. It is very difficult to hold them accountable for any crime committed by their drivers,” Jaising added. Additional solicitor general Pinky Anand has been asked to examine the issue and respond to measures to be taken to ensure safety and security of commuters.

The bench has also asked the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) to set up an expert panel to frame a model that sets guidelines and rules for granting compensation to victims under the Victim Compensation Scheme by December 31. The expert panel consisting of 4 to 5 persons will also take into consideration suggestions from Jaising. “The Chairperson or the nominee of the Chairperson of the National Commission for Women should be associated with the Committee,” the bench further added.

The bench will hear all the matters concerning regulating the public transport and app based taxi providers and victim compensation scheme on January 9, 2018.