Uber India Director Faces Legal Action Following Fatal Mulund Crash
The Navghar police in Mumbai have registered a case against the director of Uber India System Private Limited. The charges stem from alleged serious violations of the Motor Vehicles Act and the newly implemented Maharashtra Bike and Taxi Rules, 2025. This legal action follows a tragic accident in Mulund that resulted in the death of a woman pillion rider.
The Tragic Incident: A Fatal Collision at Airoli Junction
The incident occurred on Sunday, November 29. A 49-year-old woman, identified as Shubanghi Magare, was riding pillion on a motorcycle driven by Jawahir Yadav. As they navigated the area near Airoli junction in Mulund, a truck collided with their bike.
The impact of the crash was severe. Both Magare and Yadav were thrown several feet away from the point of impact, and their motorcycle sustained extensive damage. Emergency services rushed the injured to Fortis Hospital. Tragically, Shubanghi Magare was declared dead upon arrival. Jawahir Yadav survived with serious injuries and is currently undergoing treatment and recovery.
Investigation Uncovers Alleged Regulatory Breaches
The case took a significant turn following a complaint lodged by Motor Vehicle Inspector Ravindra Gawadu from the Mumbai East Regional Transport Office (RTO). Inspector Gawadu's complaint forms the core of the legal action against the Uber India director.
The official alleged that Uber was operating its app-based passenger transport services without holding valid permissions. A critical accusation is that the platform permitted the use of private vehicles for commercial passenger trips, which is a major regulatory breach.
Inspector Gawadu stated that Uber has violated Section 93 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines 2020, and Rules 11 to 14 of the Maharashtra Bike and Taxi Rules, 2025. He further raised a grave concern, alleging that Uber drivers are not subjected to adequate background verification. This lapse, he emphasized, poses significant risks, especially to women passengers.
Legal Charges and Platform Discrepancy
Based on the findings, the police have registered offences under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Motor Vehicles Act. The IPC sections include 106(1), 125, 125(a), 125(b), and 281. Additionally, a case has been filed under Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act, which pertains to driving dangerously.
During the inquiry, investigators uncovered a troubling discrepancy. They found that Uber had registered a private Honda Activa scooter on its platform for ride-hailing services. However, the fatal trip on November 29 was undertaken using a different motorcycle. Authorities allege this substitute vehicle was being used for commercial trips without the necessary approval from the state transport department.
This case highlights the ongoing scrutiny of ride-hailing aggregators' compliance with evolving state-specific regulations in India. The Maharashtra Bike and Taxi Rules, 2025, are relatively new, and this incident in Mumbai's Mulund area is one of the first major tests of their enforcement, linking a fatal road accident directly to alleged corporate failures in regulatory adherence.
