The Bombay High Court on Monday refused to entertain a plea by four autorickshaw drivers from Thane who claimed that bike taxis operated by aggregators, including Rapido, were operating illegally in the city using non-transport number plates.The petitioners claimed that it affected their right to livelihood.However, the judges orally remarked that presence of bike taxis did not infringe petitioners’ fundamental right to livelihood, after which the petitioners withdrew their plea.The court granted the petitioners the liberty to approach the state government with a representation with their grievances.Last month, state Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik had caught a Rapido Taxi plying illegally near Mantralaya junction after booking a ride on the app using random name to confirm public complaints about unauthorised bike taxi servicesA division bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Neela K Gokhale while hearing a plea by Amarjeet Rajnath Gupta and others questioned the petitioners as to how plying of auto rickshaws by aggregators affected their livelihood.The petitioners had claimed as per existing laws, only vehicles registered with the Regional Transport Office (RTO) as commercial vehicles bearing yellow number plates are allowed to operate bike taxis.Story continues below this adThe petitioners claimed that the vehicles that arrived after making booking on Rapido App were private or non-commercial vehicles and same violated fundamental rights of right to practice any profession and right to life and personal liberty of the Constitution“This will stop only when you (autorickshaw drivers) stop refusing to take people. We have seen on the streets how taxi drivers and rickshaw drivers treat customers, their tone, their high-handedness. Each one of us has faced this,” the HC remarked.The bench added, “So many taxis enter the market every year. Tomorrow, you will say taxi drivers should not ply at all, or that the Metro should not come at all. The government is competent to make decisions.”The government lawyer argued that action was being taken against illegally operating bike taxis.Story continues below this adThe court remarked that authorities shall take action if there are any illegalities. After the court’s remarks, the petitioners sought leave from court to withdraw their plea, which the court accepted.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:autorickshaw driversBombay High Court