Won't interfere in HC stay order on Orbit Aviation bus permits, says Supreme Court

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 17

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to interfere with an order passed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court staying the cancellation of bus permits of Orbit Aviation Private Limited, a company believed to be owned by former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s family.

“Don’t fight political battles in courts,” a Bench led by Justice Hemant Gupta said.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court had earlier stayed the Punjab Government’s decision to cancel bus permits of Orbit Aviation Pvt Ltd. The High Court had directed Punjab, the state Transport Commissioner and the Regional Transport Authority to forthwith release the buses of Orbit Aviation.

It had also asked the state transport authorities to permit the petitioner company to provisionally ply the buses.

The HC’s order had come on a petition seeking quashing of 31 orders of cancellation of permits issued by the Regional Transport Authority. The petitioners had

contended before the HC that the orders were arbitrary, went against the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act and violated the principles of

natural justice.

On behalf of the Punjab Government, Advocate General DS Patwalia contended the state had the right to cancel the bus permits over non-payment of road tax dues despite several notices.

“Now that they have paid...why do you want to cancel permits?” the Bench asked the government.

Court told govt to Allow plying of vehicles

The Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed the state transport authorities to permit petitioner company Orbit Aviation Pvt Ltd to provisionally ply the buses

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