Uber ‘admits’ to lapses before women’s panel

App-based taxi booking service Uber’s Delhi-NCR head Gagan Bhatia on Tuesday appeared before the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) after summons to the company were issued in the wake of the Friday’s rape by a cabbie.

App-based taxi booking service Uber’s Delhi-NCR head Gagan Bhatia on Tuesday appeared before the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) after summons to the company were issued in the wake of the Friday’s rape by a cabbie.

Bhatia, and other company representatives, had an hour-long meeting with DCW chief Barkha Shukla Singh. They conceded that they did not follow several guidelines before starting their operations in India.

“They did not care to follow the guidelines issued by the police and transport department. They did not have GPS system in their cabs which certainly points at lapses. This shows failure of the government policy. How can somebody come to India, start a large business and not follow the law? Will any Indian company be allowed to do so in a foreign country?” Singh said after the meet.

She said that DCW will meet the police commissioner and ask for a speedy probe.

“We have also decided that we will call other web-based taxi services and sensitise them. If needed, we will form guidelines and work with them,” said Singh.

Bhatia refused to comment, saying the matter was under investigation.

Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) also on Tuesday issued a time-bound suo motu notice to the Delhi Police, seeking an action taken report on Friday’s incident. It also issued a notice to Uber. The panel also issued a similar notice to all major cab service providers in India on what steps they have taken on safeguard provided for passengers, especially women.

“We have spoken to the Delhi Police commissioner to coordinate and come together for a joint consultation-cum-response to address the safety of women and girls in public spaces in India,” a statement issued by NCW said.