PIL in Delhi High Court flags speeding e-rickshaws; seeks cap on registrations, adherence to traffic rules

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday the response of the Delhi government to a public interest litigation (PIL) petition raising concerns regarding enforcement of regulations governing e-rickshaws in the national capital [Manish Parashar vs GNCTD & Ors].

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia issued notice to the respondent authorities and directed them to file their replies within eight weeks. 

The petitioner, one Manish Parashar, moved the Court seeking directions against Delhi government, Transport Department under Delhi government, Delhi Traffic Police and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

The petitioner stated that in August 2025, he lost his eight-year-old daughter after being struck by an e-rickshaw speeding recklessly in blatant violation of regulations.

Parashar submitted that e-rickshaws are structurally unfit and uninsured and pose life-threatening risk to the public. 

“These vehicles, operating in flagrant violation of established regulations, have become a relentless menace, posing inherent and life-threatening safety risks to commuters, pedestrians, and innocent families. The resultant cascade of accidents and devastating fatalities, including the death of the Petitioner’s daughter, strikes at the very heart of the community, brutally undermining the inviolable Right to Life enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution of India,” the petition said.

The petitioner stated that there are several government regulations concerning e-rickshaws such Central Motor Vehicles (Sixteenth Amendment) Rules, Safety Standards, E-Rickshaw Sewa Scheme 2014 though the same are not being adhered to.

He submitted that he had already approached the concerned authorities in this regard but received no response, prompting him to approach the Court.

Hence, he said that directions should be issued to enforce the regulations governing e-rickshaws, impose a strict cap on its registrations, ensure rigorous adherence to traffic rules and seize non-compliant e-rickshaws.

Further, a compensatory fund should be created for supporting medical treatment in case of injury, disability or loss of life arising from such accidents, it was argued.

The matter will be heard next on March 18. 

Advocates Gaurav Arya and Naveen Bamel appeared for the petitioner.