The Maharashtra government has instructed the Cyber Crime department to file First Information Reports (FIRs) against the founders of Ola, Uber, and Rapido due to claims of unauthorised bike taxi operations within the state. This directive was given by Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on May 16, 2026, amidst ongoing scrutiny regarding the legality and licensing of such services.

Clarification on Service Continuation

In a statement, the Maharashtra government clarified that claims circulating on social media about a complete shutdown of services by these ride-hailing platforms were, in fact, misleading. According to officials, Ola, Uber, and Rapido remain operational within Maharashtra, with the current focus solely on addressing the illegal bike taxi services rather than shutting down the entire operations of these companies.

The Directorate General of Information and Public Relations (DGIPR), Maharashtra, reiterated this message. In a post on the platform X, they asserted that the actions being taken by the transport department target only the illegal bike taxi operations and not the established services offered by these companies.

It was noted that the transport department has worked to ensure compliance with existing transport regulations, with the Transport Minister formally requesting that the Cyber Crime department act swiftly against unauthorised services operating under these brands. The Transport Commissioner has also communicated separately on this issue.

Previous Scrutiny and Regulatory Challenges

The bike taxi sector has frequently faced regulatory challenges in Maharashtra over various concerns regarding their operations. Issues such as licensing, compliance with transport laws, and overall legality have been at the forefront of discussions involving app-based mobility platforms providing two-wheeler taxi services.

Historically, these services have encountered legal obstacles and policy-related hurdles in Maharashtra. The present actions represent a continuation of the government’s stance on ensuring that all transport services comply with state regulations.

Industry observers note that the state’s scrutiny attempts to balance the innovative ride-hailing services with adherence to legal frameworks designed to ensure passenger safety and service reliability. The developing legal environment for ride-hailing services in India remains an area of significant interest for both stakeholders and regulators.

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