FIRs against Uber drivers for operating at Mopa quashed

Panaji: The Bombay high court has quashed two FIRs registered by Mopa airport police station against two Uber drivers operating at the airport. The FIRs was registered on a complaint by the assistant director of transport, Mapusa.

The common allegation in both FIRs was that the drivers, in connivance with Uber management in Goa, were found operating and picking up passengers through the Uber mobile app from Mopa airport without obtaining a permit or licence from the state transport department, thereby violating transport laws and regulations of Goa.

It was further alleged that such illegal operations not only pose a threat to the safety and security of passengers but also deprive the state exchequer of revenue.

In two separate cases, the drivers said that they received requests for a ride on the Uber app at Mopa airport, but when they reached the airport, the ride was cancelled by the passengers. When they tried to exit the airport, they were accosted and harassed for operating the Uber app and taken to Mopa airport police station. Mobile phones were also seized.

The high court held that Section 223 of BNS of disobedience to the order of a public servant cannot be invoked as the prosecution stated that there was no such order promulgated by the state or any authorised officer to be disobeyed. The court also held that the FIR, even if taken at face value, does not make out a case for Section 318(3) of cheating, which was also invoked.