Uber app banned in Indian capital after rape case

The government of New Delhi on Monday banned the transport company Uber operating in the Indian capital after one of its drivers was detained, accused of raping a passenger.

"The Department of Transportation has banned all uber.com transportation service activity with immediate effect," reads an official statement.

The attack allegedly took place on Friday and the driver was arrested on Sunday in the state of Uttar Pradesh, north of India, where he fled, police said.

O Uber was developed by an American startup in the transport sector. The application offers a paid ride service, with the difference that to be an Uber driver, all you need to do is register, a fact that raises concern among unions and companies in the sector.

Passengers pay a penalty fee and then a supplement for time or kilometer traveled, very similar to taxis conventional.

According to the press, those responsible for the application did not examine the criminal record of the 32-year-old driver, who in 2011 was accused of rape, despite being exonerated a year later.

“What happened this weekend is New Delhi is horrible. Our entire team stands by the victim of this despicable crime.”