Mumbai: The Ola and Uber driver strike in Mumbai, suspended until Tuesday, is set to resume on Wednesday if the Maharashtra government fails to address their demands.

The strike was initially called off on Saturday, allowing the government to respond to issues like fare rationalisation, the establishment of a welfare board for drivers, and restrictions on new permits. The Maharashtra Gig Kamgar Manch confirmed that the strike is merely suspended and will restart if demands remain unmet.

Key driver demands include:

Drivers advocate for fare alignment with traditional taxis.

A financial and legal support board for app-based cab drivers is requested.

There’s a push to limit new cab and auto-rickshaw permit issuance.

Protections under the Maharashtra Gig Workers’ Act for taxi workers are sought.

A review of aggregator platform operations regarding surge pricing and driver ID blocking is desired.

If unresolved by the deadline, drivers plan an escalated protest on Wednesday. According to a report, passengers have been asked to de-board in various locations across Mumbai due to the impending strike. A cab driver from Navi Mumbai highlighted their demand for a fixed rate per kilometre, contrasting current inconsistent rates with a previously established government-fixed rate of Rs 32 per km for AC taxis.

Cab unions have discussed these concerns with Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, who has promised a solution within 15 days. Nevertheless, drivers remain skeptical, recalling previous unfulfilled promises. Sarnaik acknowledged the reasonableness of the demands and assured adjustments in policy would be made.

The Maharashtra government has approached the Supreme Court challenging the Bombay High Court’s recent decision to acquit all 12 individuals previously convicted in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts case. The High Court, in a detailed judgment, overturned the 2015 convictions handed down by a special MCOCA court, which had sentenced five of the accused to death and seven to life imprisonment.

Citing serious lapses in the prosecution’s case—including unreliable witness testimonies, questionable identification procedures, and lack of forensic evidence—the court stated that the guilt of the accused was not proven beyond reasonable doubt. In response, the state government has filed a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court, arguing that the acquittal undermines efforts to combat terrorism and seeking to have the convictions reinstated.

The case, which stems from coordinated bombings on Mumbai’s suburban rail network that killed over 180 people and injured more than 700, is now poised for further legal scrutiny at the national level.

Mumbai: During the period 15th-20th July, the officers at Airport Commissionerate, Mumbai Customs, Zone-III, made a remarkable seizure of suspected NDPS (hydroponic weed) weighing 7.318 kg and 99 bottles of 100ml each cough syrup containing codeine phosphate across 04 cases. 04 persons were Arrested. 

Highlights of the case: 

(14/15.07.2025) 

Case 1. On the basis of profiling, Customs officers at CSMI Airport , Mumbai Customs, Zone – III intercepted 01 passenger arriving from Bangkok to Mumbai and recovered 610 grams of hydroponic weed. The smuggled goods were concealed inside the trolley bag carried by the passenger. 01 passenger was arrested under the provisions of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

(15/16.07.2025) 

Case 2. On the basis of profiling, Customs officers at CSMI Airport, Mumbai Customs Zone -III intercepted 01 passenger arriving from Bangkok to Mumbai and Recovered 5256 grams of hydroponic weed. The smuggled goods were concealed inside the check-in baggage carried by the passenger. 01 passenger was arrested under the provisions of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

(16/17.07.2025) 

Case 3. On the basis of Specific Intel, Customs officers at CSMI Airport, Mumbai Customs Zone -III intercepted 01 passenger arriving from Bangkok to Mumbai and Recovered 1452 grams of hydroponic weed. The smuggled goods were concealed inside the trolley bag carried by the passenger. 01 passenger was arrested under the provisions of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

(19/20.07.2025) 

Case 4. On the basis of information received, Customs officers at CSMI Airport, Mumbai Customs Zone -III intercepted 01 passenger departing from Mumbai to Riyadh and recovered 99 bottles of cough syrup containing codeine phosphate as its constituent. The smuggled goods were concealed inside the check-in baggage carried by the passenger. 01 passenger was arrested under the provisions of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.