STATE OF H.P. vs RAJA MAHENDRA PAL .

The Supreme Court held that the High Court erred in equating the respondent, a former ruler, with the Government of Himachal Pradesh, thereby granting him monetary benefits under the guise of Article 21 of the Constitution. The Court emphasized that the respondent's claim for relief through a writ petition was not maintainable as he was not entitled to the same rights as the State. The judgment of the High Court was set aside, reaffirming that personal interests cannot override the principles of law and governance.