Justice Manmohan of the Delhi High Court on Tuesday made it clear that only those cabs which run on compressed natural gas (CNG) can ply on the national capital's roads. "I cannot discriminate against them (Ola). I can't say Ola has to comply and Uber need not. You have to comply with my order on CNG. That's all," the judge said.
"How can people take the law in their hands? You will have to behave in accordance with law," the court said, adding that "since the Delhi government has come out with some scheme, why don't you (Ola and Uber) comply with it?"
"It cannot be done overnight. It can be done in a phased manner. I can only say that from today no new diesel taxis would be used," Uber India, senior advocate Rajiv Nayar said.
Ola undertook to make the change in a reasonable time period, "so you need to be realistic and do the same in time bound manner and tell us".
App-based cab service provider Uber India has questioned the Delhi government’s city taxi scheme of 2015 with the contention that only the Centre enjoys powers to frame rules applicable to the cabs having the All India Tourist Permit (AITP).
The guidelines call for extensive background checks of drivers to ensure passenger safety. Any person who has in the past been convicted of any "cognizable offense" under India's criminal laws should not be allowed to become a driver.
By Premji
