The Delhi High Court has issued notices to app-based cab operators Ola, Uber and Rapido, along with the Central and Delhi governments, over concerns regarding the safety of women travelling through app-based taxi services.
The court is hearing a public interest litigation seeking comprehensive improvements in safety mechanisms for women using cabs, bike-taxis and other ride-hailing services. The respondents have been asked to file their replies to the petition.
What Did the Delhi High Court Order?
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia passed the order on Wednesday and directed the concerned parties to respond to the issues raised in the PIL. The court said notices were being issued with the objective of making private operators of taxi applications accountable. The matter will next be heard on December 16.
The PIL has been filed by Aditya Sehgal. Counsel appearing for the petitioner told the court that app-based companies operate more than two lakh cabs in the Delhi-NCR region, but alleged that there is inadequate checking of drivers during night hours.
The counsel submitted that after around 8 or 9 pm, there is allegedly no proper check to determine where drivers are operating, including whether they are travelling towards airports or other sensitive locations and whether they are under the influence of alcohol.
FCRF Launches CP-FRM to Build India’s Next Generation of Fraud Risk Professionals
What Safety Changes Does the PIL Seek?
The petition seeks a comprehensive overhaul of the existing safety mechanisms for women using app-based cabs, bike-taxis and other ride-hailing services. One of the key demands is to ensure that the driver and vehicle assigned to a ride match the details displayed on the application at the time of booking.
The plea further seeks a system under which passengers can cancel a ride without penalty if the driver or vehicle is changed without authorisation. Such unauthorised substitutions should also be recorded as safety incidents, according to the petition, allowing repeated instances to be identified and appropriate action to be considered.
How Could SOS Alerts Be Handled?
Another major demand is the establishment of 24-hour command and control centres capable of responding to SOS alerts from passengers. The petition proposes that, during an emergency, booking details, the driver’s identity, vehicle registration number and real-time location should be shared with emergency responders and police, subject to appropriate privacy safeguards.
The petitioner has also sought an automated alert mechanism for significant deviations from the designated route during a ride. The plea proposes periodic gender-sensitivity and women’s safety training for drivers, along with surveillance mechanisms at locations considered vulnerable to incidents involving women passengers.
Could Women Request Female Drivers?
The petition also proposes creating a pool of verified female drivers for women passengers. Under the suggested system, women travelling alone could be allowed to request a female driver or receive priority in being assigned one, subject to availability.
The petitioner is represented by advocates Vikas Gupta, Aditya Sehgal, Kushik Anand and Sohil Sharma. Following the court’s order, the cab operators and the Central and Delhi governments will now have an opportunity to respond to the proposed safety measures as well as the concerns raised about existing practices.
What Happens Next?
The case brings several aspects of app-based transport safety before the court, including verification of drivers and vehicles, emergency response, monitoring of route deviations and safeguards against unauthorised changes during a ride. The next hearing on December 16 is expected to take the matter forward after the responses from the concerned parties are placed before the court.
The420 Takeaway
The PIL puts practical passenger-safety measures at the centre of the debate, including matching the actual driver and vehicle with app details, rapid SOS response and alerts for unusual route deviations. Until the case progresses, passengers should verify the driver, vehicle number and ride details before starting a trip.
About the author — Ayesha Aayat writes on cybercrime, digital safety, and emerging online threats. Her work focuses on public awareness, legal clarity, and technology-driven risks.
Follow for daily updates on cybercrime, corporate fraud, DFIR, hacking, investigations, and digital forensics
