The Supreme Court on Thursday granted relief to Uber India by ordering status quo on the Bombay High Court directions to comply with the Motor Vehicle Aggregators Guidelines.
The Bench of Justice L. Nageswara Rao and Justice B.R. Gavai also issued notice to the Maharashtra and Central government on a plea by Uber India.
Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singvhi, appearing on behalf of Uber, argued that many of the conditions in the Guidelines are not workable and the issue has been raised before the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Earlier, the Bombay High Court Bench comprising Chief Justice Dipankar Dutta and Justice Vinay Josh had directed app-based taxi firms such as Ola and Uber operating in Maharashtra to apply for valid licences by March 16, if they wish to continue operations.
The Bench, though, refrained from prohibiting such cabs from plying, saying that it was aware such a move would adversely affect the commuters.
The High Court passed the directions, while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Advocate Savina Crasto, highlighting the lack of effective grievance redressal mechanism for customers using the Uber India app, seeking implementation of the Guidelines.
The Aggregator Guidelines were notified by the Union Government in exercise of its powers under Section 93(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988.