NEW DELHI – Authorities in New Delhi have banned several internet-based taxi companies including U.S.-based Uber after a female passenger was allegedly raped by a driver contracted with the company, official said on Tuesday.
The capital’s Senior Transport Official, Kuldeep Gangar said in New Delhi.
“Uber and all other web-based taxi services have also been banned in the city with immediate effect,’’ Gangar said.
The order to ban Uber was issued because it had failed to run background checks on its drivers.
In addition to taxis operated by private taxi-stands, only six other radio taxi firms remained licensed to operate in the city.
“All taxi services that provide services through web-based technologies are not registered with Delhi’s transport department
“They are thus prohibited to operate until they get necessary permissions.
“The ban will be enforced by transport officials, who would either fine drivers or impound vehicles,’’ Gangar said.
Local media reports described the move as an “over-reaction,’’ saying it will leave thousands of drivers unemployed and cutting off women from taxi services generally regarded as a safe mode of transport.
The 27-year-old victim, a finance company executive in Delhi’s suburb of Gurgaon, said she was sexually assaulted on Friday night.
A report said that the suspect, arrested on the weekend, was accused in another rape case in 2011 but acquitted following a settlement.
There was uproar in parliament over women’s safety following protests in Delhi over the sexual assault.
Report says police are likely to file a case of criminal negligence against Uber for not checking the driver’s background.
Uber responded that such background checks were not required by India’s own regulations on public transport drivers, and offered to help the government establish new rules.
Attacks on women and sexual violence have been a focus of public attention in India since the fatal gang rape of a student on a bus in New Delhi in 2012, which triggered mass protests. (dpa/NAN)
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