SC Asks Centre To Examine Women’s Safety In Ola, Uber

The Supreme Court is contemplating formulation of a regulatory mechanism for app-based transport service providers like Ola, Uber, redBus etc. A bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta asked the Centre to explore the matter of women’s safety through these apps.

Some of the cab aggregators are international companies. Hence, they don't want to fall under the jurisdiction of Indian courts.

Indira Jaisingh, who is supporting the case as an Amicus Curiae, raised a pertinent point about drivers' background checks

Senior Advocate, Indira Jaisingh who is supporting the case as an Amicus Curiae raised a pertinent point about background checks. She said that companies often falter at carrying out strict background checks of their drivers and putting the customers’ lives at risk, especially women. She also said that there should be a proper regulatory mechanism that these companies follow while hiring, reported TOI.

After listening to Jaisingh’s statements, the bench requested additional solicitor general Pinky Anand to research on the matter and come up with rules for safety of commuters. It said that they will take up the issue on December 7.

Ola and Uber are facing charges against crimes against women. And despite the hue and cry after such crimes, nothing concrete has been done. One hears of sexual harassment and mugging cases involving cab drivers almost every second day.

Recently, India’s top comic Mallika Dua faced a similar situation with Uber.  Her cab driver abused her after she asked him to lower the cab's AC temperature. She wrote a post about the harassment on Facebook.

These companies also try to defend themselves by saying that they do take action against the drivers after receiving complaints. But they don't want to be held responsible for crimes committed by drivers.

In 2016, the Delhi High Court commanded all app-based cab aggregators to provide driver details and get records verified by the police.

Picture credit- Time