GURLOVLEEN SINGH vs STATE OF PUNJAB .

The Supreme Court held that the District Transport Officer (DTO) cannot be held liable for compensation related to an unauthorized vehicle operation, as he did not permit the vehicle to operate on public roads. The Court found that the High Court's direction to recover compensation from the DTO's salary was unjustified, given that he was not given an opportunity to be heard before imposing liability. Consequently, the Court allowed the appeal and deleted the High Court's directive regarding the DTO's liability.