The Bombay High Court has granted ex-parte ad-interim injunctive relief to Uber India Systems Private Limited, restraining members of an auto-rickshaw union from engaging in violent and coercive actions aimed at disrupting Uber’s business operations in Maharashtra. The injunction was issued in response to complaints of organised violence, intimidation, and obstruction allegedly carried out by the Baghtoy Rikshawala Union and associated individuals.
Hearing an urgent Interim Application, Justice R.I. Chagla passed sweeping protective orders after observing that the defendants were forcibly stopping Uber vehicles, assaulting drivers, coercing driver-partners to go offline, and creating an environment of public inconvenience and safety risk. The Plaintiff submitted that the ongoing conduct of the defendants had led to escalating threats to driver-partners and passengers, as well as continuous disruption of Uber’s operations.
The Court took note of official notices issued by Chikhali Police Station and the Baner Police Station, acknowledging the unlawful activities of the defendant union and its efforts to prevent Uber and Ola drivers from operating. The plaintiff also relied on a prior order passed by the High Court on March 20, 2017, in a similar context, to seek urgent relief.
The Court found prima facie merit in Uber’s allegations and observed that the material on record showed a real and immediate threat of unlawful interference by the defendants. Accordingly, it restrained the defendants from:
Stopping or blocking vehicles of Uber driver-partners;
Removing devices or equipment from such vehicles;
Assaulting or threatening driver-partners or passengers;
Obstructing or interfering with Uber’s lawful business activities.
The Court further directed the Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) to ensure that driver-partners willing to operate through the Uber App are not prevented from doing so, and to provide adequate police protection to Uber’s vehicles, staff, driver-partners, and associated infrastructure.
The matter is next listed for further hearing on August 6, 2025.
Appearances:
For the Plaintiff: Mr. Virag Tulzapurkar, Senior Counsel, with Mr. Aditya Mehta, Mr. Aviral Sahai, Mr. Manan Shah, and Mr. Devanshu Anada, instructed by Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas.
For the Defendants: No appearance recorded.