Goa police have filed a First Information Report (FIR) against taxi driver Kaif Shaikh and the management of ride-hailing giant Uber for allegedly operating illegally at Manohar International Airport, Mopa, on August 20, 2025. The case, registered on Monday, stems from a complaint by Minesh Tar, assistant director of transport, and highlights growing concerns over unregulated ride-hailing services at the airport.
The FIR, lodged under sections 223 and 318(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), accuses Shaikh, a Vasco da Gama resident, and Uber’s Goa management of flouting transport regulations. Section 223 pertains to disobeying lawful orders issued by a public servant, while section 318(3) addresses cheating with intent to cause wrongful loss. According to North Goa Superintendent of Police Rahul Gupta, the incident occurred on August 9 at around 7:10 a.m., when Shaikh was caught ferrying passengers booked via Uber’s mobile application without the necessary permit from the state transport department.
Authorities emphasized that such unauthorized operations not only violate transport laws but also jeopardize passenger safety and security while causing significant revenue losses to the state. The Mopa airport, a key hub for tourism in Goa, has strict regulations to ensure licensed operators provide safe and reliable services, and this incident has raised alarms about the proliferation of unlicensed ride-hailing activities.
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Sub-inspector Swapnil Kinalkar of Mopa Airport police station is leading the ongoing investigation, which aims to uncover the extent of such violations and ensure compliance with transport regulations. The case has sparked a broader debate about the oversight of ride-hailing platforms in Goa, with officials calling for stricter enforcement to protect both passengers and the state’s economic interests. As the investigation progresses, the incident underscores the need for robust regulatory frameworks to govern the rapidly growing ride-hailing sector in tourist-heavy regions like Goa.
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