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Synopsis

The Delhi High Court, recently, issued notice in a petition filed by a visually impaired advocate against Uber seeking appropriate redress for the discrimination faced by persons with disabilities. The bench of Justice Sanjeev Narula listed the matter for March 27, 2025.

The Petitioner, a visually impaired Advocate, filed the petition, expressing grievances regarding the discriminatory and disrespectful conduct exhibited by drivers associated with Uber India Technology Private Limited while booking an auto ride. 

The Petitioner stated that he recently faced several challenges in availing of Uber's services. He alleged that an auto driver refused to drop him at his destination, citing that assisting him from the vehicle to the entrance of a café would result in a loss of time and energy. After some persuasion, the driver reluctantly agreed to proceed with the ride but continued to exhibit disrespectful behavior.

The Petitioner, through Advocate Amar Jain, contended that this incident reflected systemic discrimination and underscored the failure of ride-hailing services like Uber to adequately train and sensitize their drivers, as mandated by the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. 

Advocate Jain argued that although Uber professed a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination, this policy had failed to ensure effective disability sensitization. He further asserted that despite raising such issues on social media, he continued to face reluctance and discriminatory attitudes from Uber’s auto drivers. Advocate Jain sought appropriate remedies for the discrimination faced by persons with disabilities.  

For Petitioner: Advocates Amar Jain and Taha Bin Tasneem
For Respondent: Special Public Counsel Farman Ali, Government Pleader Hussain Adil Taqvi with Advocates Usha Jamnal and Krishnan Kumar
Case Title: Rahul Bajaj v Uber India Technology Private Limited (W.P.(C) 18010/2024)