PANCHAM CHAND vs STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH .

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, which mandates that such decisions should be made by the Regional Transport Authority. Consequently, the Court quashed the permits granted to the fourth respondent based on the Chief Minister's directives, reinforcing the principle of adherence to statutory procedures in administrative actions.