Uber taxi company banned in Delhi

The Delhi government Monday banned "all activities" by Uber taxi company after one of its drivers was arrested on charges of raping a woman.

The Delhi government's transport department also blacklisted the international cab booking company from providing any transport service in the national capital in future, an official statement said.

The action came a day after the accused driver, Shiv Kumar Yadav, who allegedly raped the woman here Friday night, was arrested from Mathura in Uttar Pradesh.

The government said that in response to "the unfortunate and heinous crime", it had cancelled the taxi's permit and registration certificate as well as the driver's license.

The statement accused Uber of misleading the commuter who was raped about the nature of the taxi service offered by "Uber App".

Uber was also faulted for violating the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 by providing the commuter for local journey a taxi with an all-India permit.

"Keeping in view the above violation and the horrific crime committed by the driver, the transport department has banned all activities related to providing any transport service by Uber with immediate effect.

"The transport department has also blacklisted the company from providing any transport service in the National Capital Territory of Delhi in future."

According to the Uber web site, the company, started in 2009, operates in over 200 cities globally "by seamlessly connecting riders to drivers through our App". - IANS