HC seeks Delhi Police reply on e-rickshaws

The Delhi High Court on Monday sought a response from Delhi Police on a plea seeking direction to stop plying illegally operated e-rickshaws following accidents involving them.  Justice J R Midha asked the police to file a response by September 19 on the plea which sought direction that responsible officers of police and the Delhi government be prosecuted for deliberately allowing e-rickshaw operators to ply illegally. The court was hearing an application filed in a contempt plea by social activist Shahnawaz, who alleged that e-rickshaws continued to operate in Delhi in violation of the court’s September 9, 2014, direction.

Advocate Sugriva Dubey, appearing for Shahnawaz, told the court that e-rickshaws were plying on roads illegally with no registration number, licence, and insurance. It mentioned an accident this month wherein a 3-year-old boy was crushed to death by an e-rickshaw in Mansarovar Park area. The plea alleged that most e-rickshaws were operating in violation of law and rules.