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Karnataka has appealed to the Supreme Court against a Karnataka High Court order of January 23, 2026 that cleared the way for bike taxi operations.
The state argues that the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 contains no framework for registering motorcycles as transport vehicles for passenger service.
It has cited passenger safety, insurance cover, congestion and the higher fatality risk of two-wheelers compared with cars.
The High Court had held that operating taxis is a legitimate business protected by Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution.
A Union Ministry reply in the Rajya Sabha on March 18, 2026 confirmed that 'bike taxi' is not defined in the Motor Vehicles Act or its rules.
The central law governing registration, permits and categories of vehicles. Karnataka argues it does not authorise motorcycles to be used as taxis, and disputes that they can be read into the definitions of 'motor cab' or 'contract carriage'.
Guarantees the freedom to practise any profession or carry on any occupation, trade or business. The High Court used it to hold that operating a taxi service is a legitimate business.
Permits the State to impose reasonable restrictions on the Article 19(1)(g) freedom in the public interest — the constitutional hook for any regulatory framework the state may frame.
GS Paper II > Polity > Fundamental Rights and Government Policies
General Awareness > Indian Polity > Fundamental Rights
Under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, a vehicle hired as a whole for a journey under a contract, rather than picking up passengers individually along a route.
A category under the Motor Vehicles Act covering public service vehicles, goods carriages and educational institution buses — registration in this category is what the dispute turns on.
Limits the State may place on Article 19 freedoms under Articles 19(2)-19(6), which must be proportionate and in the public interest.