Pancham Chand And Others vs State Of Himachal Pradesh And Others

The Supreme Court addressed the role of the Chief Minister in granting Stage Carriage Permits under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, specifically Section 70. The Court held that the Chief Minister's involvement in the permit process was improper and violated the statutory framework, as the Regional Transport Authority is the competent body to grant such permits. Consequently, the Court set aside the permit granted to the fourth respondent and directed the Regional Transport Authority to consider the applications of the appellants in accordance with the law.