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Banned service Uber cabs emails rape victim, says we are back in Delhi; offers 25% discount

Uber cabs, one of whose drivers is under investigation for raping a woman in Delhi, has allegedly emailed the victim announcing that they back in operation in the city.

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Uber cabs, one of whose drivers is under investigation for raping a woman in Delhi, has allegedly emailed the victim announcing that they back in operation in the city.

Uber sent copies of the email to its past customers, which also included the victim. Uber claimed in the mail that, "We’re back, to serve you and get you moving once again."

Whether it was a faux pas on the part of Uber to send such a mail to the victim remains unknown. But the matter seems to have been brought forth by the victim's American lawyer, Douglas Wigdor, who is helping her in filing a case against Uber in a US court. Wigdor claimed to the Indian Express that he was 'surprised' by the 'audacity' of Uber to return to the city so soon and to even send an email to the victim. 

But that was not the only allegation Wigdor made against Uber.

"We had made it clear to Uber that the victim wanted to be part of a consultation process regarding safety procedures to ensure that no other person becomes a victim at the hands of a Uber driver. Most unfortunately, this has not happened and we have no confidence that the touted 'India-specific safety measures' will prevent another attack," he stated.

Uber has applied for a fresh licence under the 2006 Radio Taxi Scheme, which interestingly has just been modified by the government. However, the licence was not under Uber's own name but under a subsidiary called Resource Experts India Private Limited. Cheerily, Uber even has even announced a 25% discount to its customers. 

The transport department however said to the Indian Express that Uber operating in Delhi would be a violation of rules. According to them, applying for a licence in the name of a subsidiary was a ploy by Uber - if any untoward incident happened in future, Uber would not have to face responsibility for the same. 

"Till we get an official confirmation that a valid licence has been granted to Uber to operate in Delhi, the service will be considered illegal and will not be allowed to operate," said Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Muktesh Chander told Indian Express.

A senior Uber official reportedly took an audacious line on the issue. He claimed that Uber was within its rights to return because other unlicenced taxi services which had been banned along with Uber had resumed their services. Since there was no 'enforcement' of rules, Uber was justified in operating again, the official felt.

What followed was a nonchalant, cheery email to its past customers. "Yesterday we applied for a licence under the Radio Taxi Scheme to bring you more transportation options. We do not believe these regulations (strictly) apply to a technology platform such as Uber. We are hopeful that the Delhi government will follow the leadership shown by authorities in Bidhannagar, Kolkata, who have developed a new progressive framework that embraces innovation, supports consumer choice and ensures the safety of riders,” said Uber in its email sent to passengers. 

"These past weeks have been sobering for everyone at Uber and also our partner-drivers, many of whom lost their primary source of income. Today, as we relaunch in New Delhi, our partner drivers are ready to serve you again and make each ride a 5-star worthy experience. We're giving you a flat 25% discount to welcome you back and get you moving again," the email concluded.

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