Delhi Uber cab rape case: As it happened on Tuesday

11:00 pm: Telangana Transport Department has said that no permission has been granted to Uber taxi services to operate in the state. It has also advised the other cab drivers not to associate with the company.

Another girl narrates her horrific experience with Uber cab driver Shiv Kumar

10:30 pm: A girl took to Twitter today and revealed that she had taken a cab with Shiv Kumar Yadav in Delhi on November 26 and complained against him to Uber via email.

She had complained to Uber that during the ride Shiv stared at her through the rear view mirror and also smiled at her in a weird way. In reply, Uber wrote to her that they will look into the matter.

Here are her series of tweets:  

I had reported Shiv Kumar Yadav to @Uber on Nov 26th. They said via email they would check on him. Not soon enough. #DelhiShamedAgain — Nidhi Shah (@nps2113) December 8, 2014

my receipt for the nov 26th ride with the rapist Shiv Kumar Yadav @uber #DelhiShamedAgain pic.twitter.com/Ho4ZpA3xbn — Nidhi Shah (@nps2113) December 9, 2014

email from @uber regarding my feedback about Shiv #DelhiShamedAgain pic.twitter.com/e4Hl6dEI4f — Nidhi Shah (@nps2113) December 9, 2014

Police summons two friends of Shiv Kumar

10: 10 pm: Police has summoned two friends of accused Shiv Kumar Yadav for interrogation.

"We will interrogate two friends of Yadav for further investigation. Though not registered with Uber, his friends Gaurav and Kamal also used to drive the car at times," PTI quoted a senior police official as saying.

PM Modi meets Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari

10:00 pm: Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday as soon as the latter returned Delhi after addressing a rally in Jharkhand, reports stated.

In the meeting, PM Modi reportedly discussed whether to make the current Motor Vehicle Act stringent or not. Furthermore, he may hold a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday at 7:00 pm wherein amendment in the current Motor Vehicle Act will be presented.

If sources are to be believed, then the government may make necessary changes in the Act in the Parliament Winter Session.  

9:18 pm: The 32-year-old accused of Uber cab rape case, Shiv Kumar Yadav, has shown no remorse for his act, police said.

“Yadav is a serial offender. He was always on the prowl for women who were soft targets. He would target women who used to work late or would look 'open' about sexual encounters with strangers. Also, he thought a women wearing skimpy clothes was an easy prey," an official, who is also part of the team questioning the driver, told IANS.

Judge bans Uber in Spain

8:47 pm: A judge has banned the popular cellphone-based taxi service Uber from operating in Spain, court officials said, following similar attempted moves in several other countries.

Drivers hired for rides via the application "lack the administrative authorisation to carry out the job, and the activity they carry out constitutes unfair competition," the court services said in a statement after ruling on a lawsuit brought by taxi drivers, AFP reported.  

8:00 pm: As soon as the news broke about Shiv Kumar Yadav's arrest, residents of his village begin celebrating, reports stated. They alleged that Yadav had molested many women in the village.  

7:30 pm: A group of transgenders 'Abhaya' educated women travellers about safety measures. The group asked the women commuters to commuters to click pictures of the driver and the registration number of the autorickshaws and taxis and send it to their destination at a busy intersection of Madhuban chowk on Vikas Marg.

 I-T department on job to recover service tax dues from radio cabs: Arun Jaitley

6:55 pm: Some radio taxi operators are avoiding service tax payments, forcing the revenue department to take necessary steps, including coercive measures, to recover the dues, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said today, as per PTI. The Revenue Department has imposed service tax on all radio taxi service providers from October 1.
"Some of them have been avoiding it and, therefore, whatever steps are provided within the legislations, including coercive steps in that regard, the Department of Revenue has started taking those steps," Jaitley said in Rajya Sabha.

DCW chief Barkha Shukla meets Uber staff

6:25 pm: After meeting the officials of Uber Cab Services at her office, Delhi Commission for Women chairperson Barkha Shukla on Tuesday said that the commission had asked the criteria the Uber had followed to employ such driver.

“When we asked them that on what basis they recruited such driver, they told us that the driver was eligible for driving. He had driving license and character certificate. They also admitted they failed to install GPS facility in the cab and run the agency as per the guidelines set by police and transport authority,” said Shukla. The DCW has now demanded the closure of the company.

Meanwhile, official from Uber Cab Services Gagan Bhatia called the incident horrific and apologised for the same.

Radio Cab Association calls for better rules, legislature  

6:00 pm: As the Delhi Government has banned web-based taxi services from plying in city roads, the Radio Cab Association has called for better legislature and rules.

"Everything is procedure-driven in our company. After a sad incident like this, we will try to bring in more improvements, especially for ladies and children. In the long term, we need better rules and better legislature. If the government is able to push out these norms and guidelines at the earliest, then I think all this will be streamlined," Radio Cab Association president Kunal Lalani told ANI.

Accused lawyer claims conspiracy against his client

5:27 pm: The lawyer of Uber cab rape accused, Alok Dubey, has claimed that a conspiracy was being cooked up against his client. “He (accused) has been booked under IPC 376, among other sections. However, I've not yet received the copy of the FIR,” he said.

Although he admitted that his client was arrested for rape in 2011 also, Dubey further defended him, stating he was later acquitted with a clean character certificate."This is a conspiracy against my client. The police issued the certificate, and now, they are denying that the officer who signed it was posted at that station," ANI quoted him as saying.

4:59 pm: Officials from Uber Cab services have reached the office of Delhi Commission for Women. They were summoned by DCW chairperson Barkha Shukla.

4:30 pm: More cases involving accused driver tumble out

Shiv Kumar Yadav, accused in the Delhi rape case, is fast turning out to be a serial offender. Reports claimed on Tuesday evening that Yadav has been involved in at least four more cases, apart from the two already known - the Friday rape incident and the 2011 alleged rape case.

Reports said another case of rape was filed against the accused in 2013. Also, he is out on bail in three more cases - two molestation cases were registered against him in 2009 while he was also booked under the Arms Act in 2006. 

3:55 pm: Transport authorities in Thailand have ordered Uber to suspend services with immediate effect. Thai officials say the company was operating in the Southeast Asian nation illegally.

2:15 pm: Rajnath Singh makes statement in RS

Home Minister Rajnath Singh has just made a statement in the Rajya Sabha on the Delhi rape case. While narrating the sequence of events on the ill-fated Friday night, Singh told Rajya Sabha that Uber cab service has been banned in the NCT of Delhi and that the Centre has advised all states and Union Territories to ban all such web-based cab booking services.

The GoI strongly condemns this dastardly act. It will be ensured that all necessary steps are taken to bring the offender to justice:HM — HMO India (@HMOIndia) December 9, 2014

He also informed the House that the cab involved in the incident was owned by the accused driver. The car seized from the driver, who was arrested from Mathura, has been brought to Delhi and a forensic investigation is underway, he added.

He also promised that the guilty will be punished.

2:00 pm: As per DCP North Madhur Verma, an FIR has been registered against Uber for cheating its customers and violating lawful orders of government. The FIR has been lodged under Section 420 and 188 read with 34 of the IPC.

1:40 pm: Shocking details emerge during interrogation

Shiv Kumar Yadav, Uber cab driver who has confessed to raping a woman in Delhi on Friday night inside his taxi, has revealed shocking details of the incident. Yadav told police during interrogation that he not only outraged the modesty of the woman but also abused her physically. As per police, the accused slapped the woman several times and also bit her while committing the crime.

Meanwhile, police said that they have recovered two mobiles and some clothes that were used by Yadav. Also, a chargesheet is likely to be filed in the case within 20 days.

12:50 pm: Delhi Police chief meets Home Minister

Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi met Home Minister Rajnath Singh at Parliament complex a shortwhile back. Bassi briefed the minister on the Delhi rape case and related events.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the Delhi Police chief said they have ordered verification of all drivers contracted with cab service providers. Also, he informed that the Delhi Police is consulting legal advisors and will subsequently register a case of criminal culpability against Uber.

12:30 pm: Biju Janata Dal leader Jay Panda echoes Nitin Gadkari's views, says no service should be singled out for ban as it won't stop the problem. "No single service should be singled out; banning a service doesn't stop the problem," said Panda.

11:40 am: Gadkari against ban on cab services

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has said he is against banning cab services in the wake of the Delhi rape case.

“It doesn't make sense to ban services. Tomorrow, if something happens on a bus we can't ban that. It is the system that needs to be changed. Banning will only cause inconvenience to the people,” Gadkari said.

“System of giving driver's license is faulty; new digitalised system will be designed where everyone's track record can be viewed,” the minister said further, adding, “if there are improvements needed in the system they should be looked at.”

11:30 am: Rajya Sabha witnesses uproar over Delhi rape case.

11:30 am: NCW issues notices

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has issued a notice to the Delhi Police in connection with the Delhi rape case, asking it to submit a report within 15 days. A notice has also been issued to Uber in connection with the case.

11:25 am: Case of forgery against cab driver

Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi today said that an FIR has been registered against the accused cab driver over forged character certificate.

“Character certificate given by the driver was forged; officer whose signature is on the certificate wasn't on duty on the day of the signature. A case has been registered for this forgery and investigation is on,” Bassi said.

11:10 am: Meanwhile, the Home Ministry has advised all states and Union Territories to ban all unregistered, internet-based cab booking services.

11:05 am: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has called a meeting of top Delhi Police officers to review the situation in the wake of the rape case involving an Uber cab driver. The issue of radio taxis is also expected to feature at the meet.

10:40 am: Home Minister Rajnath Singh will today make a statement in the Rajya Sabha on the Delhi rape case.

10:35 am: Mumbai Police orders background checks of taxi drivers

In the wake of a woman being raped in Delhi by an Uber cab driver, Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria has ordered background checks on drivers of all radio taxis services. Maria has asked the city Crime Branch to gather details of radio taxi service providers and drivers contracted by them.

Among the details cops would seek from radio taxi operators would include name of the driver, his photograph, contact details and residential address.

10:00 am: The Delhi rape case is expected to be raised in Parliament again today. Disruptions are likely.

9:45 am: Uber officials to be questioned again

The Delhi Police will on Tuesday continue its questioning of Uber officials in Delhi. Also, reports say the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has summoned Uber CEO Travis Kalanick in connection with the rape case.

Kalanick, earlier, had said in a statement: "What happened over the weekend in New Delhi is horrific. Our entire team's hearts go out to the victim of this despicable crime. We will do everything, I repeat, everything to help bring this perpetrator to justice and to support the victim and her family in her recovery. We will work with the government to establish clear background checks currently absent in their commercial transportation licensing programs. We will also partner closely with the groups who are leading the way on women's safety here in New Delhi and around the country and invest in technology advances to help make New Delhi a safer city for women."

9:40 am: Uber fallout – other web-based radio taxi services banned

In the wake of an Uber cab driver allegedly raping a woman in Delhi, the state government has banned several other private radio taxi services apart from Uber.

As per reports, the transport department has in a notice said that only six private radio taxi services registered under the Economy Radio Taxi Scheme will be allowed to operate in the city. The services allowed include Easy Cabs, Mega Cabs, Meru, Chanson, Yo Cabs and Air Cabs. This means that other services will not be able to operate in the city.

"All other transport/taxi service providers through web-based technology, who are not recognised, are prohibited from providing such services in the NCT of Delhi till they get licence/ permission from the transport department," a statement issued by the department said, as per reports.

9:20 am: FIR registered against Uber

In the latest development in the rape case involving the driver of Uber, the Delhi Police have registered an FIR against the international taxi-booking service, reports PTI.

The FIR was lodged late on Monday night after Delhi Police officials had said earlier in the day that Uber will be booked for alleged cheating as well as under other charges including criminal negligence and abetment to the crime.

"We have registered a separate FIR against Uber under Section 420 (cheating) of IPC. In investigations so far, it emerged that the company cheated their customer on the pretext of providing safe commuting with duly verified driver," Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Madhur Verma told PTI.

The Delhi government had yesterday banned Uber and the Centre is mulling similar action against the company across the country.

The actions came as outrage grew over the alleged rape of a 27-year-old woman executive by the Uber cab driver who is stated to be a repeat offender and was jailed before in another rape case.

In another disclosure yesterday, the police said that a 'character certificate' issued in the name of an Additional DCP of the Delhi Police to the accused driver Shiv Kumar Yadav in August this year was “fake”. This certificate was provided to Uber, police said.

Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi has ordered a probe into this. A fresh FIR of forgery, in connection with this, has also been registered against the driver.

Yadav was yesterday remanded in police custody till December 11 by a Delhi court.

32-year-old Yadav, who was arrested in Mathura on Sunday, had spent seven months in jail in a rape case in 2011 as well. He was later acquitted in that case.

Investigators probing the rape case have found "criminal negligence" and "abetment" of crime by the US-based cab company whose General Manager (Marketing) Gagan Bhatia was grilled yesterday. Bhatia claims to be in-charge of the company's India operations, police said.

"The transport department has banned all activities related to providing of any transport service by www.uber.com with immediate effect. The department has also blacklisted the company from providing any transport service in the NCT of Delhi in future," the Delhi government said in a statement.

The government added that it has cancelled the taxi's permit, registration certificate as well as the driver's license.

Uber has also been faulted for violating the Motor Vehicles Act by providing a taxi with an all-India permit for a local journey.

The rape case also brought to spotlight the laxity in enforcement of established norms governing the transport sector in the capital.

"He did not have the mandatory PSV badge that is issued by the state transport authority after getting a police verification. Uber did not bother to check that and hired him," said a police officer.

Yadav, who was driving the Uber cab, allegedly raped the woman on Friday night when the victim, who works for a finance company in Gurgaon, was headed back to her home in north Delhi's Inderlok area.

The police said that during investigations prime facie it has emerged that criminal negligence was made out on the part of Uber as a number of alleged shortcomings were found on their part as neither the driver was verified nor there was a GPS tracking device in the car.

As per norms, it is mandatory for all private cab service providers to carry out a background check and obtain police verification of the drivers.

Official sources said the Union Home Ministry is planning to ask all state governments and administration of nine Union Territories, where Uber runs its cab services, to put a ban on it. Uber cab services are available in Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Kolkata and Pune.

The city yesterday witnessed protests at various places including outside Home Minister Rajnath Singh's residence. Holding placards and chanting anti-government slogans, the protesters demanded better security for women and punishment for the driver.

The minister, meanwhile, promised to bring the accused to justice. "The government strongly condemns this dastardly act. It will be ensured that all necessary steps are taken to bring the offender to justice," the minister told the Lok Sabha.

(With agency inputs)