The ban on e-rickshaws in the Capital will continue as the Delhi High Court on Tuesday rejected the Centre’s plea to allow them to ply till rules are framed to regulate them.
Observing that “what is prohibited under the law cannot be permitted,” a Bench of Justices Badar Durrez Ahmed and Siddharth Mridul directed the Delhi Government and the authorities concerned to act in conformity with laws and prevent the plying of unregistered e-rickshaws.
“In sum, the plying of un-registered e-rickshaws is illegal as per the law. We can’t anticipate the legislative changes that may be brought about or the alterations in the statutory rules that may be introduced in future. That is for Parliament and Central Government to consider and act upon. For the present, a mandamus can certainly be issued to ensure that what is prohibited by law is not permitted in action. Therefore, we confirm our direction given on July 31, 2014, that respondents shall act in conformity with the said Act and Central Motor Vehicles Rules and prevent the plying of unregistered e-rickshaws. The writ petition is allowed to this extent,” the Bench said.