The Karnataka High Court on Thursday raised doubts over whether the State’s newly enacted law for gig workers adequately addresses the concerns of bike taxi operators and indicated that it may consider staying the ongoing prohibition on such services if specific rules are not framed soon.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Joshi was hearing a batch of appeals filed by cab aggregators Ola (ANI Technologies), Uber, Rapido, individual riders, and the Bike Taxi Welfare Association. The appeals challenge a single judge’s order halting bike taxi services until the State introduces a clear regulatory framework.
During the hearing, Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty informed the court that the government had recently notified the Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Act, 2025, which extends social security and welfare benefits to delivery executives and ride-sharing platform workers. The legislation, which came into effect on September 12, is aimed at covering app-based workers associated with platforms such as Uber, Ola, and Zepto.
However, the Bench questioned whether the law explicitly applies to two-wheeler taxi riders. “One month was given to frame a policy, but nothing was done. You came up with one for gig workers—does it apply to bike taxis?” Chief Justice Bakhru asked, while noting that the court was “inclined to grant a full stay” on the prohibition if no clarity emerged.
Advocate General Shetty further alleged that cab aggregators had continued to operate bike taxi services despite the ban, which amounted to contempt of court. The Bench, however, directed the State not to take coercive action against individual riders until further orders.
Senior Advocate Dhyan Chinnappa, appearing for bike taxi owners, urged the court to grant interim relief. He highlighted the plight of riders, pointing out that unlike autorickshaw drivers, bike taxi operators had no designated stands to park their vehicles while the ban remained in place.
After hearing the submissions, the Bench adjourned the matter to October 15 for further consideration. The court’s observations leave open the possibility of relief for riders and aggregators, depending on whether the State clarifies the applicability of the new gig workers law to bike taxi services.
