India, Oct. 28 -- The Maharashtra Transport Department has decided to intensify background checks and verification of documents of drivers working with app-based ride-hailing platforms such as Rapido, Ola and Uber. The move follows an action by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) against a Rapido bike taxi driver in Mumbai's Mahim area.

In a meeting on Tuesday, state transport minister Pratap Sarnaik directed his department officials to conduct thorough checks of drivers' backgrounds, licences and other mandatory documents. He also instructed officials to initiate strict legal action, including the registration of cases against those found violating the law.

The meeting was convened against the backdrop of the ATS action in Mahim.

The indiv...