Are you used to taking a Rapido bike to the office, or do your friends often open the app to quickly book a ride? If yes, then this update is important for you. Authorities in Nagpur have found serious unlawful practices in the way Rapido operates, raising concerns that could directly affect daily commuters. The Nagpur RTO Rapido case has put attention on the use of bike taxis. It has raised big questions about passenger safety, whether the service is legal, and if transport rules are being followed.
Nagpur police have registered a case against the founders of Rapido for running petrol bike taxis without permission from the Maharashtra government. The case is filed at Sitabuldi police station against Rishikesh S R, Pavan Guntupalli, and Aravind Sanka, who started Rapido. The complaint was given by Motor Vehicle Inspector Vishal Madhukarrao Bhovte from Nagpur RTO.
Why Rapido Booked?
On June 23, RTO officers carried out a drive against illegal transport. They booked a test ride on Rapido app from Ravi Bhavan to Priyadarshini Colony for Rs 22. When the bike came, officers stopped it and took it to the RTO office.
According to the official complaint, investigation revealed that the bike was used for passenger service without a commercial licence or permit. The vehicle was seized under Motor Vehicles Act. Officials said Rapido has no approval from Maharashtra government or Regional Transport Authority to run petrol bike taxis. Using private white-plate bikes for passenger service is against rules and unsafe.
The problem comes from state rules on public transport. The RTO complaint says Rapido has no approval from Maharashtra government or the Regional Transport Authority to run two-wheeler taxis with petrol engines. The state has kept a strict stand against using private white-plate bikes for commercial rides, saying it can cause safety and system problems.
Rapido is facing a complaint for letting people use their own bikes to carry passengers. This is not allowed by law. Officials say it breaks transport rules, puts passengers at risk because the bikes don’t have commercial insurance.
The complaint also said Rapido encourages illegal use of private bikes, which puts passengers at risk, avoids paying taxes and permit fees, and causes loss to the government.
How RTO Investigated?
Police have registered the case under sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Motor Vehicles Act. Charges also include cheating under Information Technology Act. Sitabuldi police confirmed that investigation is going on to check how many such illegal rides are happening in Nagpur.
Officials say a deeper probe is going on to check how many bike taxis are running without permission in the region. This adds to the legal and transport rule troubles that bike taxi companies are already facing in many Indian states.
About Company
Roopen Transportation Services Private Limited, operating under the brand name Rapido, is an Indian logistics and ride-hailing aggregator primarily focused on bike taxis and auto-rickshaw services. Founded by Rishikesh S R, Pavan Guntupalli, and Aravind Sanka, the platform operates across various urban markets, frequently navigating complex state-level transport regulations regarding the commercial viability of two-wheeler transit.
