The Karnataka government’s challenge to a High Court ruling that allowed bike-taxi operations has moved forward in the Supreme Court, with Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for the state and the next hearing scheduled for the week beginning November 16.
Mehta appeared virtually before a bench of Justices Satish Chandra Sharma and N. Kotiswar Singh on Monday. He sought additional time to submit documents connected with the case, and the bench allowed the request. It directed that the matter be listed during the week commencing November 16.
The case concerns Karnataka’s appeal against the High Court’s January 23 direction to officials to consider applications for registering two-wheelers as transport vehicles and issuing permits for their use as bike taxis. The High Court order had opened a legal route for applications linked to bike-taxi operations in the state.
The Supreme Court hearing also brought the positions of the Union government, bike-taxi riders and ride-hailing companies into focus. Senior advocate Shashank Garg, appearing for the bike-taxi riders’ association, told the bench that the Centre had issued circulars supporting bike-taxi riders.
The bench observed that Mehta could appear on behalf of the Union government as well and present the appropriate position before the court. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Uber, said the Centre’s circulars supported bike-taxi drivers and that Mehta could represent only the Karnataka government in the matter. Singhvi also clarified that he had no objection to Mehta appearing in the case.
The state government had earlier appointed senior advocate Kapil Sibal to argue the matter. However, lawyers had pointed out during the previous hearing that Sibal had provided a legal opinion for Rapido. Sibal subsequently withdrew from the case.
The dispute has implications for how app-based two-wheeler services are classified and regulated in Karnataka. The court proceedings involve questions around vehicle registration, transport permits and the respective positions of the state and Union governments. For riders, drivers and platforms, the Supreme Court’s consideration will determine how the High Court’s direction is treated while the appeal remains pending.
The matter will next be taken up during the week beginning November 16, after the state submits the additional documents sought by the court.
