In a significant development, the Punjab and Haryana High Court, led by Acting Chief Justice Ritu Bahri and Justice Nidhi Gupta, has intervened in the ongoing tussle between Uber and the Chandigarh administration. The court has stayed the administration's directive issued on December 1, instructing Uber to cease its operations in the city.
Uber India Systems Private Limited filed a plea challenging the administration's order, asserting that the notification issued by UT in November 2022 did not adhere to the guidelines established by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in November 2020. According to Uber, the guidelines should only be implemented after due notification, allowing for objections as per the Motor Vehicles Act. Uber also cited a 2020 Supreme Court judgment, stating that until finalization, draft rules should follow the 2020 guidelines.
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In response to Uber's arguments, the high court has sought a response from the administration and restrained them from taking any coercive measures until the next hearing scheduled for December 22. The court's decision marks a temporary reprieve for Uber, allowing the ride-hailing company to continue its operations in Chandigarh pending further legal proceedings.
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