JASPAL SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB AND ORS.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner applied for the grant of a mini bus permit on the Malerkotla -Rara Sahib route. Its application was rejected vide order dated February 9, 1991. A copy of this order has been produced as Annexure P -2 with the writ petition. The permit was granted to Mr. Sukhjinder Singh. He started operating on June 4, 1991,

(2.) After the lapse of more than six years, the petitioners filed an appeal on August 29, 1997 before the State Transport Appellate Tribunal. The appeal was dismissed vide order dated August 12, 1999. A copy of the order has been produced as Annexure P -3 with the petition. Aggrieved by this order, the petitioner has filed the present writ petition. It is alleged that the order dated February 9, 1991 had not been conveyed to the petitioner. Thus, the delay in filing the appeal had occurred. The petitioner prays that the order passed by the Appellate Authority be set aside and that the case be remanded for a decision on merits.

(3.) The respondents contest the petitioner's claim, it has been inter alia pleaded that Sukhjinder Singh has been plying on the route since June 4, 1991. He lias not been im -pleaded as a party. No explanation for the long delay has been given. Thus, the order passed by the Tribunal is just and fair.