Mumbai, May 6 — Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Akhil Chitre has called on the Mumbai Police to take immediate and stringent action against rising crimes involving delivery agents employed by popular food and quick commerce platforms such as Swiggy, Zomato, and Zepto. In a strongly-worded letter, Chitre raised grave concerns over incidents of sexual harassment, theft, impersonation, and even murder linked to delivery personnel.
Chitre, who heads the IT, Electronics, and Communication Wing of Shiv Sena (UBT), warned that the growing threat posed by unregulated and unchecked delivery operations cannot be ignored. While acknowledging the convenience offered by these platforms, he stated that they are also becoming breeding grounds for unethical practices and criminal behavior.
He demanded that all delivery personnel be officially registered, undergo strict background checks, and wear identifiable uniforms with visible ID cards to prevent impersonation—especially when agents wear helmets or masks. He also urged the enforcement of training programs covering traffic rules, emergency response, and customer etiquette.
Highlighting the risks faced by female customers, Chitre recommended the creation of a dedicated helpline to report inappropriate conduct by delivery personnel.
“The public's safety cannot be compromised in the name of convenience or rapid growth,” Chitre stated, calling on the police to issue clear regulatory guidelines to hold platforms accountable.
Beyond safety concerns, Chitre also criticized operational practices among delivery companies. He alleged that some platforms process payments for non-functional restaurants and delay refunds. He further questioned the transparency of food sourcing and hygiene practices, while pointing out the lack of a proper grievance redressal mechanism in Maharashtra, despite a significant user base.
Chitre concluded by saying that if companies fail to comply with safety regulations, they must bear full responsibility for the actions of their agents.