India

Maharashtra Orders Rigorous Background Checks for App‑Based Drivers After ATS Action in Mumbai

By Shailesh Gaikwad

The Maharashtra Transport Department has announced that it will tighten background checks and document verification for drivers working with app‑based ride‑hailing platforms such as Rapido, Ola and Uber. The decision follows an action by the Anti‑Terrorism Squad (ATS) against a Rapido bike‑taxi driver in Mumbai’s Mahim area. In a meeting on Tuesday, state transport minister Pratap Sarnaik instructed department officials to conduct thorough checks of drivers’ backgrounds, licences and other mandatory documents. He also directed that strict legal action be taken, including registration of cases against those found violating the law. The meeting was convened in response to the ATS action in Mahim, where the individual was alleged to have circulated objectionable content through social media accounts. Police investigations are ongoing, and preliminary findings have not shown direct links to any person or organisation in Pakistan. Sarnaik emphasized that drivers providing passenger transport services through companies such as Rapido, Ola and Uber must undergo comprehensive verification of their backgrounds, licences and required documents. If any violation of rules or offence punishable under the law is detected during the inspection, strict action must be taken, including the registration of criminal cases where necessary. He urged that authorities should not limit their response to action taken after an incident occurs, but that app‑based transport services should be monitored to ensure compliance with applicable regulations. Sarnaik also called for steps to strengthen the regulatory framework governing app‑based passenger transport services, suggesting that existing laws be amended to bring these services under more effective supervision by the State Transport Authority. The Transport Department has been asked to ensure better coordination among concerned authorities, take complaints seriously and initiate action against those found guilty in accordance with the law. A few months earlier, Sarnaik had warned of strict action against drivers of all commercial passenger vehicles in the state if they did not learn Marathi; the order sparked controversy, and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis later granted a one‑year extension to auto and cab drivers to learn Marathi.