The Pune Regional Transport Office has registered an FIR against Rapido’s operator, Roppen Transport Services Private Limited, for allegedly running bike-taxi services in the city using petrol two-wheelers registered for non-transport purposes. The action followed a directive from Pune Collector Jitendra Dudi, who heads the Regional Transport Authority, ordering the company to stop operations within 24 hours.
The FIR was registered at Vishrantwadi police station at around 11.45 pm on Friday, according to the complaint filed by RTO Inspector Prasad Survase on behalf of the transport department. The case is registered as FIR No. 0517/2026.
The transport department has alleged that Rapido facilitated passenger rides through vehicles that did not have the required transport permissions or approvals. The distinction between transport and non-transport vehicles is central to the case, as commercial passenger services are subject to regulatory requirements relating to permits, vehicle classification and operational compliance.
The authorities have raised concerns that using privately registered two-wheelers for commercial passenger services could bypass these requirements and create safety risks for commuters. The complaint alleges that the company continued facilitating bike-taxi rides despite the transport authority’s direction to discontinue the service within the stipulated period.
Police have invoked Section 318(8) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Sections 66, 93, 192(A), 193 and 197 of the Motor Vehicles Act and Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act. The provisions cited in the FIR cover alleged violations linked to vehicle use, transport permissions and the facilitation of online services.
The case places Pune’s app-based two-wheeler taxi operations within the city’s wider regulatory framework for passenger transport. Unlike conventional taxis and autorickshaws, bike-taxi platforms rely on privately owned or platform-linked motorcycles to provide point-to-point rides, making vehicle classification and commercial authorisation important enforcement questions for transport authorities.
The investigation is expected to examine the company’s role in facilitating the rides and whether the vehicles used for the service complied with applicable transport regulations. The FIR does not by itself establish guilt, and the allegations remain subject to investigation. The immediate operational position of Rapido following the 24-hour shutdown directive will be examined by the transport and police authorities as part of the case.
