Mumbai Police have registered an FIR against the directors of Ola and Rapido for allegedly running bike-taxi services in the city without the required permission. The complaint was filed by the Regional Transport Office (RTO), which accused both companies of offering two-wheeler taxi services through their mobile apps even though they were not approved by the state government or the Regional Transport Authority (RTA).

According to Amboli Police, the case was registered after officials noticed that Ola and Rapido were allowing their app-based drivers to transport passengers without any legal licence. Police said both companies continued to operate two-wheeler taxi services across Mumbai without following the necessary rules. As a result, the authorities claim the companies earned money by providing unlicensed passenger transport, which is against the law.

The RTO stated that Rapido, in particular, has been operating in Mumbai without official approval from the Transport Department. This violates the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines 2020 and Section 66 of the Motor Vehicles Act. These laws clearly state that private vehicles cannot be used to carry passengers for hire unless proper permission is granted.

Officials also raised concerns about passenger safety. Since the services are not officially approved, drivers working with these platforms may not undergo background checks or police verification. This creates potential risks for passengers, especially women, as there is no system to confirm drivers’ identities, criminal history, or safety records. Without proper screening, riders may be vulnerable to unsafe situations.

The complaint highlights that such unregulated operations can lead to multiple safety, security, and legal issues. Officials argue that strict regulations are necessary to ensure passengers are protected and that transport services operate fairly within the law.

Amboli Police have filed the FIR under several sections of the Motor Vehicles Act, including Sections 1988, 193, 197, 192(A), 93, and 66. They have also invoked Sections 123 and 318(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The case marks an increase in action against app-based transport companies that continue to expand faster than current laws can keep up.