Bengaluru, 25 Sept 

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday questioned whether the State’s new law for gig workers adequately covers bike taxi services and indicated that it may consider staying the ongoing ban on such operations if rules are not framed soon.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Joshi was hearing appeals filed by Ola (ANI Technologies), Uber, Rapido, individual riders, and the Bike Taxi Welfare Association against a single judge’s order halting bike taxi services until the State introduced specific regulations.

Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty informed the bench that the interests of the bike riders would be covered under the Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Act, 2025, which came into effect on 12 Sept. 

The law extends social security benefits to delivery workers and those engaged with ride-sharing platforms, Shetty submitted.

The judges, however, asked whether the legislation explicitly addressed the concerns of two-wheeler taxi riders.

“One month was given to frame a policy, but nothing was done. You came up with one for gig workers—does it apply to bike taxis?” the Chief Justice asked, while observing that the court was “inclined to grant a full stay.”

The bench also directed the State not to take coercive action against individual riders for now.

Senior Advocate Dhyan Chinnappa, appearing for bike taxi owners, pressed for interim relief, highlighting that, unlike autorickshaws, bike taxis had no designated stands to remain idle while the ban continued.

The court adjourned the matter to 15 October for further hearing.