Bombay HC Disposes of Drivers' Marathi PIL as State Grants One-Year Window

The Bombay High Court on Saturday disposed of a Public Interest Litigation after the Maharashtra government confirmed that auto-rickshaw, taxi, and cab drivers across the state will be given one year to acquire a working knowledge of Marathi.

A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad was hearing the PIL, which had been filed by four Uber drivers. The petitioners challenged the state government’s requirement that drivers must possess a working knowledge of Marathi in order to obtain commercial driving permits.

During the proceedings, the bench took note of media reports indicating that the state government had agreed to grant drivers a one-year window to learn the language. The court also observed that the petitioners had met with the Chief Minister and that reports suggested the issue concerning auto-rickshaw drivers had been resolved.

At the initial hearing, Additional Government Pleader Jyoti Chavan informed the court that she would verify whether a formal policy decision had been finalized. The bench then directed her to check with the Transport Department and confirm the administration's official position.

When the matter was taken up again, Chavan informed the court that the Transport Minister had confirmed the one-year period for drivers to acquire the required language proficiency. The bench recorded the state government's statement and officially disposed of the PIL.