BENGALURU: The Uber Files' expose by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) suggests that Uber came under intense scrutiny from RBI, Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), and Indian tax authorities.
The very year it launched in India (2014), the ride-hailing company was served with a service tax notice in Mumbai. Axel Martinez, then VP and treasurer of Uber, is said to have written to the firm’s top brass: “Authorities want Uber to open their books, otherwise, we are facilitating fraud. They have summoned RG (Ryan Graves, then senior vice president, global operations at Uber) & TK (then CEO Travis Kalanick). Penalties and warrants for arrest are next.” The note went on to say, “Negotiate with the tax authority the ability to collect and remit payments on behalf of our drivers, while limiting our liability.”
