The Karnataka government has moved the Supreme Court in a bid to challenge a High Court decision that permitted the operation of bike-taxis as a mode of public transport within the state. Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta is set to represent the administration in the upcoming legal proceedings as the state seeks to defend its restrictions on using two-wheelers for passenger transport.
In its appeal, filed through its panel counsel, the state government has argued that the decision made by the High Court failed to account for several critical factors, most notably the inadequate safety standards of motorcycles. The state contends that two-wheelers are associated with higher accident fatality rates, which makes them unsuitable for commercial passenger operations. Furthermore, officials highlighted concerns regarding increased traffic congestion and the limited utility of motorcycles as a reliable form of public transportation compared to larger vehicles.
The current legal dispute stems from a January 2026 ruling, wherein a Division Bench of the Karnataka High Court overturned a previous order from a Single Bench. The earlier order had initially halted bike-taxi services while the state was in the process of formulating a comprehensive policy. The Division Bench, in its decision to permit the services, had stated that taxi aggregators and individual motorcycle owners hold a crystallised right to obtain permits for operating motorcycles as taxis under the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988.
In contrast, the state government maintains that its restrictions are both reasonable and proportionate, serving the broader public interest. According to state submissions, there has been no blanket prohibition on the commercial use of motorcycles. Instead, the government clarified that the restrictions are specifically targeted at the carriage of passengers. Authorities emphasized that motorcycle riders continue to have access to other sustainable avenues of livelihood.
The state highlighted that these alternative opportunities are further supported by the Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Act, 2025. This legislation is intended to provide statutory protections and essential welfare measures for gig workers in the state. By pointing to this act, the government aims to demonstrate that its transport policies do not unfairly deprive workers of income, but rather prioritize safety and structured regulation.
The conflict has been a point of contention between the state administration and various industry stakeholders for some time. Previously, the Transport Department had initiated crackdowns on illegal bike-taxi operations in Bengaluru, leading to calls from bike-taxi associations for a halt to such enforcement actions. These associations have consistently urged the government to establish a clear policy framework to govern the sector.
As the case moves to the Supreme Court, the outcome will likely hinge on the interpretation of existing motor vehicle regulations and the balance between promoting gig economy innovation and maintaining public road safety standards. The court’s eventual verdict is expected to provide much-needed clarity for both the thousands of riders operating on these platforms and the state officials tasked with managing urban transport infrastructure.
For now, the legal battle continues as the state government seeks to overturn the High Court's findings, arguing that the legislative intent behind the Motor Vehicles Act does not support the unrestricted use of two-wheelers for taxi services. Both the state and the advocates for the aggregators await the Supreme Court’s direction on how these services should be legally integrated into the state's transport landscape.
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