Ola Plays Nationalist Card, Says ‘Foreign’ Uber Flouts Indian Law

Uber had earlier filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court after transport department impounded its cars.

Ola Cabs alleged Uber was trying to bypass Indian laws. Image used for representation. (Photo: Reuters)

On Tuesday, taxi aggregator Ola Cabs submitted an affidavit in the Karnataka High Court, saying it has complied with all the requirements of government rules for its operations.

The company submitted this as a counter to a petition by rival Uber Cabs, in which the latter challenged the authority of the state government to frame the rules under Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

Ola alleged that Uber’s petition was motivated and filed in an attempt to bypass the laws of the land by foreign companies who run their operations in India for profit, without due regard for applicable laws.

The counsel for Ola alleged that Uber was continuing illegal activities, giving scant respect to the laws of the country.

On the contrary, Ola being a law-abiding company, has complied with all requirements of the rules and a license there under has been issued to it, to run its operations on 20 June by the competent authorities.

Counsel for Ola

Uber had earlier moved the court after the transport department impounded the vehicles for not securing licences under the new norms. It also suspended taxis, which led to protests by drivers.

In a Twitter post, popular music blogger Karthik Srinivasan called out Ola on its double-standards.