Ashutosh Mohunta, J. - (1.) This is a petition for quashing order dated October 29, 1998 passed by the State Transport Appellate Tribunal, Punjab, (for short, the Tribunal) vide which respondent Nos. 3 and 4 were, granted one regular stage carriage permit each for plying three return trips daily on the Nabha -Patiala -Sheikhopura route.
(2.) The facts of the case are that vide notice dated 22.5.1994, the State Transport Commissioner invited applications for grant of two stage carriage permits for plying six return trips daily on Nabha -Patiala via Ramgarh, Kalwanu, Thuhi, Agaeta, Diwangarh, Banera, Sheknopura, Sangrur road. The notice was published in the Motor Transport Gazette Weekly. Thirteen transporters filed applications in pursuance of the notice. The same were published for inviting objections in accordance with Rule 64 of the Punjab Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. Petitioner -Pepsu Road Transport Corporation, Patiala objected to the grant of permits on the route in question by asserting that the same falls on its monopoly route.
(3.) After considering the applications and the objections, the State Transport Commission vide order dated February 13, 1997 rejected the applications for the grant of stage carriage permit on the ground that the proposed route falls on the monopoly route of P.R.T.C., Patiala, the route being Patiala -Bathinda via Sunam, Mansa and as per the orders of the High Court, the P.R.T.C. has the exclusive right to operate on the said route.;