Karnataka HC rules in favor of bike taxi drivers, asks govt to protect their interest
Bengaluru: In a move aimed at safeguarding the safety of bike taxi operators in the state, the Karnataka High Court recently directed the state government to take strict action against individuals or groups found illegally preventing bike taxis from carrying out their services.
The High Court order, dated March 28, stated that the writ petition was being disposed of, directing the Karnataka government to take appropriate action against any person who is found to have unlawfully obstructed the petitioners from operating the bike taxis.
The order comes nearly two years after a direction was issued to the transport authorities under the state government not to take any coercive action against bike taxi services. The High Court, in its latest order, stated that despite its earlier directive, the police have failed to take action against respondents found guilty of obstructing and assaulting bike taxi riders. "The State is under obligation to take appropriate action against any individual," the High Court added.
The Bike Taxi Welfare Association, one of the petitioners, stated that the recent High Court order would boost their fight against harassment, physical violence, vehicle damage, and obstruction to bike taxi riders by auto-rickshaw union members in Bengaluru. "This order not only carries the weight of legal obligation but also marks a crucial stride towards ensuring the safety and security of all riders within our transportation landscape," the association said in a statement.
The association had filed a petition under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India, seeking relief from unlawful interference in their operations. Senior advocate KN Phanindra represented the association during the hearing of the petition in court.
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Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
