After directing online cab aggregators in Bengaluru to stop their services, the Transport Department is now seeking the opinion of cyber experts to ban the apps, which allow customers to hail taxis.

The measure comes after the cab aggregators apparently refused to comply with the Karnataka On-demand Transportation Technology Aggregators Rules. This particular rule was put into force to streamline the operation of the cab aggregators.

At a meeting with the representatives of cab aggregators on Saturday, the Transport Commissioner Ramegowda said that if they continued to operate without a licence they would invite legal action. Last week, the Transport Department checked over 3,000 vehicles and seized around 250 for permit violations which led to a spate of protests from the taxi drivers.

“Under Section 193 of the Motor Vehicle Act, agents or canvassers can be punished with a jail term, besides the fine amount for the second offence. If they do not stop plying immediately, we will consider this option as well,” Ramegowda said. He said that while Ola submitted a part of the required documents Uber has asked for a day’s time.

In addition, another option being explored by the government is to approach the Cyber Crime police cell to institute a ban on the taxi booking apps. Sources said that notices have been sent to a few aggregators on April 24, but there was no reply or acknowledgement for the same from the companies.

However, senior officials said that this was a lengthy process which would involve a court order. “Notices have to be sent to the companies and a criminal case must be booked. Only then can a court issue a notice for the police to go ahead and ban these apps," a senior official said. “How can we prove to the court that a notice has been sent. We are now thinking of delivering the notice personally to the offices,” the official said.

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