Bombay High Court Grants Relief To Uber Against Protests By Rickshaw Unions After Threats Of Violence, Disruption Of Services

The Bombay High Court has granted urgent ex parte ad interim relief to Uber in its plea seeking protection against protests scheduled to be held by Rickshaw drivers unions from 23rd July (today) over threats of violence and disruption to their services.

The plea was heard by a single bench of Justice R.I. Chagla.

Counsel for Uber submitted that recently, agitations had started against their drivers by the defendant unions, which started instigating their driver partners, as they wanted parity with black and yellow cabs, and a ban on bike taxis.

It was submitted that the agitation took a physical turn when drivers were being intimidated to stop rides with passengers in the cars, and physical violence was taking place by damaging the cars.

It was submitted that police complaints had been made by Uber, the drivers, as well as the passengers and the police, wrote to them to not cause disruption. Even after that, it escalated with the agitating drivers chasing other drivers at Mumbai airport, breaking windshields of cars.

It was submitted that the unions had announced a protest and issued pamphelts to instigate Uber's driver partners by the union leaders.

Counsel argued that similar incidents have occurred in Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and relief had been granted have been annexed, and sought identical relief along with police assistance.

Upon hearing the counsel, the court noted that the plaintiff's services are being disrupted and threats are being posed to passengers and that Uber stated that if notice is given prior to granting relief, the defendants may escalate the situation.

Court noted that a notice issued by the defendants to their members has asked them to disrupt the working of the Ola and Uber drivers.

It was observed that the urgency in the plea was that a notice was issued by the defendant stating that from 23rd July (today) onwards all vehicles of Uber would not only be stopped but would also be damaged.

Accordingly, the court ordered, "Having gone through the submissions I believe that the plaintiffs have made out a strong case for ex parte ad interim relief. Given the last actions of the defendants the protest slated from today would not be peaceful. Therefore orders must be passed to prevent such illegal actions. There shall be ex parte ad interim order in terms of the prayers by the plaintiffs, against all the defendants including unknown defendants till further orders."