Daijiworld Media Network – Nagpur

Nagpur, Jul 4: The founders of Rapido have been booked in Nagpur for allegedly operating petrol-powered bike taxi services in Maharashtra without obtaining the required government permission.

The case was registered at Sitabuldi Police Station against Rishikesh S.R., Pavan Guntupalli and Aravind Sanka, founders of Roopen Transportation Services Private Limited, which operates the Rapido app.

The complaint was filed by Nagpur (City) Regional Transport Office (RTO) Motor Vehicle Inspector Vishal Madhukarrao Bhovte on behalf of the Maharashtra government.

According to officials, the RTO conducted a special drive against illegal passenger transport on Jun 23. During the operation, a bike ride was booked through the Rapido app from Ravi Bhavan to Priyadarshini Colony for Rs 22.

The motorcycle bearing registration number MH-31/GC-0850 reached the pickup point and was later taken to the RTO office for inspection.

Officials alleged that a private two-wheeler was being used as a bike taxi without the required licence or permit. The vehicle was subsequently seized and action was initiated under the Motor Vehicles Act.

The complaint stated that Rapido had not received approval from the Maharashtra government or the Regional Transport Authority to operate petrol-powered bike taxi services in the state.

It further alleged that the company encouraged the use of private vehicles for commercial passenger transport, violating transport regulations, compromising passenger safety and causing financial loss to the government.

A Sitabuldi Police Station official said the case has been registered under Sections 318(3) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Sections 66, 93, 192A, 193 and 199 of the Motor Vehicles Act, and Section 66(d) of the Information Technology Act.

Further investigation is underway.