Uber moves HC, seeks damages worth Rs 12 cr

The Uber India service has approached Bombay High Court drawing its attention to the “losses” it has been facing since March this year as a result of attacks by some tourist vehicle groups in the garb of protests or strikes. The company has sought damages of nearly Rs 12 crore from these vehicle groups.

In its suit, the company has named the Sangharsh Tourist Chalak Malak Sangh, Action Committee of Maharashtra against Ola and Uber, Mumbai Vikas Foundation, All Drivers Welfare Association, Maharashtra Tourist Permit Union and their leaders as party.

The suit states, “The defendants have been hampering the legitimate business of plaintiffs (Uber) by interfering in their operations quite extensively across the city of Mumbai. They have been indulging in threats to the Driver Partners of Uber, in the event they wilfully continue to drive using the Uber App.”

The suit also states that these tourist vehicles groups had initiated a protest as well as a “dharna” at Azad Maidan on March 10 and had resorted to violent acts in the garb of protest.

“The mobile devices (with Uber App) of the Driver Partners of Uber were forcefully snatched and their vehicles were damaged. The defendants even forced the passengers out of the vehicles where trips were being taken through the Uber App, verbally abused, physically assaulted and threatened the Driver Partners of dire consequences,” the suit reads.

The Uber service has also contended that these tourist vehicle groups have indulged in acts that are not just criminal in nature, but have also jeopardised public order with consumer interest and safety being put at the risk.

According to the suit, a total of 57% Driver Partners of Uber have been forced to go offline and keep their vehicles off roads. The company has further claimed that a total of 830 incidents have been reported wherein either the Driver Partners or the passengers have been harassed by the tourist vehicle groups.

The suit will be heard by a single-judge Bench presided over by Justice Shahrukh Kathawala.

According to the suit, 57% Driver Partners of Uber have been forced to go offline and keep vehicles off roads