The Transport Department in Delhi have banned taxi booking app Uber from operating within Indias capital following one of its drivers being accused of rape by a passenger.

Ubers licence to operate within the city has been banned with immediate effect, and the company has been blacklisted from providing transport services in the future, according to a statement by the government.

It has emerged that the driver, who is accused of raping one of his passengers, was arrested for sexual assault three years ago, but acquitted of the crime. He is due to appear in Indian court soon.

Indian police are reportedly considering taking legal action against the popular ride-sharing company, claiming that the firm has failed to run correct background checks for its drivers. However, Uber has hit back at the claims, alleging that background checks are “currently absent in (Delhis) commercial transportation licensing program”.

“What happened over the weekend in New Delhi is horrific,” said Travis Kalanick, CEO of Uber. “We will do everything, I repeat, everything to help bring this perpetrator to justice and to support the victim and her family in her recovery.

“We will also partner closely with the groups who are leading the way on womens safety here in New Delhi and around the country and invest in technology advances to help make New Delhi a safer city for women.”