The Maharashtra State Cyber department has escalated its efforts against illegal bike taxi operations by issuing notices to Apple and Google, demanding the removal of Uber, Ola, and Rapido from their app stores. The notices, dated May 15, cite violations of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and highlight concerns over passenger safety, inadequate driver verification, and compliance with the Motor Vehicles Act. This action follows a letter from Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, who emphasized the need for regulatory compliance and safety measures after a tragic incident involving a bike taxi service resulted in a woman's death. Sarnaik stated that while the government does not oppose bike taxis as a concept, the current issue lies with the aggregators' failure to adhere to the state's electric vehicle policies. He noted that temporary permissions were granted for electric bike taxis, yet no documentation has been submitted by the companies. The crackdown also targets practices by companies like Rapido, which allegedly encourages riders to continue operations despite fines. The state aims to ensure passenger safety and compliance with its broader electric vehicle transport policy.