Bengaluru, Apr 2 (UNI) The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday directed bike taxi aggregators, including Rapido, Uber, and Ola, to stop operations in the state within six weeks, dismissing their pleas to legalise bike taxis.

Justice B Shyam Prasad rejected petitions filed by the companies seeking permission to register petrol-run two-wheelers as transport vehicles and urging the government to frame regulations for bike taxi services.

The Court ruled that it cannot direct the government to change its policies or legalise such services.

Rapido and other aggregators had been operating under an interim relief granted in April 2022, which protected them from government action. However, with the dismissal of their petitions, the High Court clarified that their operations have no legal backing and must be discontinued within the stipulated timeframe.

The judgment reinforces the existing rule that private two-wheelers cannot be used for commercial transport unless recognised by law. A copy of the judgment is awaited. UNI BDN SSP