The News Minute | December 16, 2014 | 10.45 am IST

Transport department officials raided the Bengaluru city office of cab-hailing service Uber and seized office computers and mobile phones used by drivers on Monday.

The team headed by joint commissioner of transport (Bengaluru Division) Narendra Holkar has directed the Uber office staff to close down the office and asked to get licences to restart their cab operation.

"The office was raided after they continued to operate taxis despite the transport department terming it illegal. They have been directed not to flout the rules and appear before us with the relevant documents. Legal action will be initiated against them for blatantly flouting the rules." Holkar told The Bangalore Mirror

Uber officials reportedly told the RTO that the database of 3,500 drivers lay in their US headquarters due to privacy reasons.

In spite of the crackdown, Uber app continued to work till late Monday night and the cabs were available on call.