Rajasthan High Court Directs Bhajan Lal Government to Appoint Women Drivers and Set Up Cyber Crime Control Centre

Jaipur: In a landmark move to enhance women’s safety and strengthen cyber security, the Rajasthan High Court has issued comprehensive directives to the Bhajan Lal government. The orders, issued by Justice Ravi Chirania, focus on increasing the participation of women drivers on app-based cab and bike taxi platforms and establishing a dedicated Cyber Crime Control Centre in the state.

Women Drivers to Increase on App-Based Platforms

The High Court has instructed the state government to ensure that at least 15% of drivers on app-based taxi and bike services are women within the next six months, with a target of increasing this to 25% over the next 2–3 years. Additionally, women passengers should be given the option to prioritize rides with female drivers, enhancing safety and accessibility.

Cyber Crime Control Centre to Strengthen Digital Policing

As part of the 35-point directive, the High Court emphasized the urgent need to improve Rajasthan’s cyber policing framework. Drawing inspiration from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), the court ordered the creation of a state-level Cyber Crime Control Centre. While the post of DG Cyber Crime was created in 2024, the court noted that current arrangements are insufficient for investigating and preventing digital crimes effectively.

This order arose during the hearing of a fraud case involving two accused from Gujarat, charged with scamming an elderly couple of ₹2.02 crore. The accused are lodged in Jodhpur Central Jail, and their bail plea was rejected.

Stringent Telecom and Banking Directives

The court also issued strict guidelines for the telecom and banking sectors. No individual shall be issued a fourth SIM card without thorough verification. Physical KYC will be mandatory for dormant or inactive accounts, and internet banking will be suspended or closed for accounts with annual transactions below ₹50,000 for the past three years or deemed suspicious.

Gig Workers Registration and Uniform Mandate

All gig workers, including app-based cab and bike taxi operators, must register with the DG Cyber Crime office. From 1 February, all gig workers are required to adopt a uniform or designated dress code and carry a QR-coded identity card to be presented on demand. Registration with the state transport department is also mandatory, and they will be allowed to operate only on vehicles with commercial number plates.

The High Court’s directives reflect a robust effort to ensure women’s safety, regulate the gig economy, and strengthen digital law enforcement in Rajasthan.