Meru, Mega target Ola's email and SMS campaign, say no relief given to it by Delhi High Court

NEW DELHI: The Association of Radio Taxi Operators in India has attacked a promotional email and SMS campaign by Ola Cabs targeting Delhi users last week that announced the company's return to the roads of the national capital.

"We would like to officially clarify that ANI Technologies (Ola Cabs) has not been given any relief by the Delhi High Court to run vehicles in Delhi," said a statement by Association, led by radio taxi companies such as Meru Cabs, Easy Cabs and Mega Cabs.

Ola Cabs had launched an SMS and email marketing campaign last week targeting users and drivers. "What doesn't kill you makes you even stronger," Ola had emailed its users in Delhi stating that it was back 'in every nook and corner of Delhi.' It also sent a blast SMS to its Delhi users saying it had worked hard to bring back its over 10,000 drivers back on Delhi roads.

"We would like to elucidate that Ola Cabs has not been granted any relief from the High Court and the ban of its services in Delhi still continues," said Kunal Lalani – Chairman Association of Radio Taxi India and founder of Mega Cabs. Ola Cabs declined to the statement sent by Association of Radio Taxis in India.

The email marketing promotion by Ola Cabs came last week after the Delhi High Court had given it a reprieve by asking Delhi government to hear afresh radio taxi applications of Apra Cabs and Serendipity Info Labs. Apra Cabs, which runs taxis under the Ola brand, Serendipity Info Labs, which runs under TaxiForSure and ANI Technologies (Ola Cabs) had approached the court against the rejection of their applications.

In response to their application the High Court issued an order which gave Apra Cabs & Serendipity InfoLabs relief but stated that ANI technologies (Ola Cabs) has not been granted any relief or exemption. The Delhi High Court on Monday also refused to pass any order on a plea by the association of radio taxi operators on a plea seeking to take Ola and Uber off roads. The High Court cited that other petitions are also pending in the matter, to be heard next week.