They have over 4,000 drivers from Delhi registered with them, but Uber had not carried out the verification to ensure that even one met all the parameters needed to provide such a service here, said the police.
One such driver was Shiv Kumar Yadav, who is accused of raping an MNC executive who booked his cab using Uber’s mobile application last week.
The Delhi Police, who have booked Uber for cheating by not fulfilling its promise of ensuring safety for its customers and violating norms, questioned its general manager (marketing) Gagan Bhatia on Tuesday during which he made the revelation.
Among the alleged omissions for which the Delhi Police have blamed both the company and the driver responsible is the absence of a public service vehicle badge.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Madhur Verma said that for a PSV badge, one had to fill an extensive form running into three pages.
Among the details sought are local and permanent addresses, licence number, places where the driver concerned has stayed in the city and previous criminal records, including the ones where the individual was convicted, was undertrial and even acquitted. Furthermore, the applicant has to get the recommendation of two individuals who can vouch for him and provide their details along with a complete set of related documents.
By not applying for a PSV badge and yet associating himself with Uber, Shiv had, in effect, had concealed these details. Crucial among these was a rape case registered in the Capital, in which he was subsequently acquitted. Further investigations have revealed more rape and molestation cases against him, details he skipped by not applying for a PSV badge.
Instead, what he submitted in a Transport Department office and later with Uber was a character certificate issued by the Delhi Police. The police have already made it clear that the piece of document was a forged one and registered a separate case of forgery against him.
Mr. Verma, however, made it clear that the document, even a genuine one, would not have qualified Shiv for a PSV badge. The police suspect there could be more such drivers providing services to Uber, whose activities in the Capital have been banned since Monday.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Transport Department, on Tuesday clarified that only six cab services were legally allowed to ply in the Capital.
Uber rape case
Key Developments
- › Uber employs over 4,000 unverified drivers >Read More
- › Uber drivers: Why punish us for the actions of one man >Read More
- › Petition urging Uber to stop double standards goes viral >Read More
- › Had warned govt. against Uber, claims taxi association >Read More
- › Delhi police questions Uber official >Read More
- › Verification certificate of driver leaves police red-faced >Read More
- › Radio taxis banned. >Read more
- › Media pressure behind Uber ban? >Read more
- › Delhi govt bans Uber taxi operations >Read more
- › Delhi Police file FIR against Uber for cheating >Read more
- › Investigation reveales driver was accused of sexual assault in 2011. >Read more
- › Police arrest the cab driver, criminal action likely against the cab company >Read more
- › Woman raped by cab driver in Delhi >Read more