The Maharashtra government has intensified its crackdown on ride-hailing apps Uber, Ola, and Rapido, demanding their removal from app stores due to alleged illegal bike taxi operations. Notices issued by the Maharashtra State Cyber department on May 15 cite violations of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and assert that these services operate without necessary permissions or compliance with the Motor Vehicles Act. The government has raised serious concerns about passenger safety, highlighting inadequate driver verification and emergency response measures. A recent tragic incident involving a bike taxi has further fueled these concerns, prompting the state to take decisive action. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik stated that the crackdown aims to ensure safety, particularly for women, and aligns with Maharashtra's broader Electric Vehicle transport policy, which seeks to promote electric bike taxis over petrol-powered ones. Despite previous temporary permissions granted to aggregators for compliance, the government claims that no documentation has been submitted. The minister also criticized Rapido for allegedly reimbursing riders for fines incurred during inspections, indicating a disregard for regulatory compliance. The state is now pursuing action against the apps themselves to effectively shut down illegal operations.