The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday pulled up the state government over its decision to ban bike taxis, observing that the arguments advanced in support of the prohibition were “thin” and “legally untenable.”
A bench led by Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru noted that bike taxis are permitted in at least 13 states across India and have emerged as a legitimate and essential mode of urban transport. “Such services are not a luxury but a necessity, especially for affordable and efficient last-mile connectivity,” the Chief Justice remarked.
Rejecting the government’s reliance on the Motor Vehicles Act to justify the ban, the court underscored that the absence of a formal policy cannot deprive thousands of operators of their constitutional right to livelihood under Article 19(1)(g).
“A mere lack of regulation cannot be the basis for a blanket ban,” the Chief Justice observed.
The court directed the Advocate General (AG) to ensure that no coercive or punitive action is taken against bike taxi operators in the interim. The AG assured the bench that the issue of framing a comprehensive policy would be considered at the “highest level” of the government.
The bench also questioned whether the state had taken a conscious policy decision to exclude bike taxis altogether, cautioning that such a move could not withstand judicial scrutiny without strong legal justification.
The matter will be heard further on September 22.
Welcoming the development, the Bike Taxi Welfare Association said it remained committed to working with the government and stakeholders to ensure that bike taxi services operate in a safe, legal, and sustainable manner.
“This is a positive step that recognizes the importance of our services to both commuters and drivers,” the association said in a statement.
