The bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia on Wednesday issued notices to the Centre, Delhi Police, the state government and the ride‑hailing giants Uber India, Rapido and Ola Cabs, following a public interest litigation filed by Aditya Sehgal on 14 March 2024. The petition, filed in the Delhi High Court, calls for a comprehensive overhaul of safety protocols for women passengers using app‑based services.
Sehgal’s lawyers argue that thousands of cabs ply the capital without adequate checks—no verification of criminal antecedents, no monitoring of night‑time driver sobriety, no real‑time route supervision, and no robust grievance‑redressal mechanisms. The petition also demands an end‑to‑end system that preserves electronic evidence and coordinates with law enforcement.
The court has asked the respondents to set up a 24×7 “Command and Control Centre” to receive and respond to emergency SOS alerts, and to mandate periodic training on gender sensitisation, harassment prevention and personal‑boundary respect for all drivers.
In a move that could reshape the industry, the bench highlighted that the absence of such safeguards has led to multiple incidents of harassment and assault against women riders in Delhi. Uber India’s spokesperson said the company is reviewing its safety protocols, while Ola’s chief operations officer added that the firm is “committed to enhancing passenger security.”
The hearing has been scheduled for December 2024, with the respondents required to file written replies by 15 November 2024. The Delhi Police and the Ministry of Home Affairs will also be called to testify, setting the stage for a high‑stakes showdown over app accountability.