T.R. NAVEEN Vs. THE MANAGING DIRECTOR, KARNATAKA STATE ROAD TRANSPORT CORPORATION, SHANTHINAGAR, BANGALORE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner, who is Divisional Controller in Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, Davangere Division, Davangere is before this Court for issue of writ of certiorari quashing the impugned order dated 9-4-2014 passed by the respondent-Corporation vide Annexure-J insofar as it relates to the petitioner is concerned imposing punishment of withholding of ensuing three years annual increment for a period of two years without cumulative effect.

(2.) It is the case of the petitioner that when he was working as Divisional Controller in the KSRTC, Mysore Rural Division, Mysore, on that basis of the report of the Security and Vigilance Officer of KSRTC, Hassan Division, dated 24-8-2010 and 29-10-2010, the respondent had initiated the disciplinary proceedings by issuing articles of charges against nine officials who were earlier working the KSRTC, Chikkamagaluru Division including the petitioner herein to the effect that during the period February 2009 to November 2009 and January 2010 to June 2010, he had purchased different types of paints from Non-governmental Organisations i.e., National Paints and Hardware Company unauthorisedly thereby causing financial loss to the tune of Rs. 7,11,318/- to the Corporation. The said charge memo was denied by him by filing objections. Not being satisfied with the explanation offered, common enquiry was conducted amongst 9 officers including the petitioner holding that four charges stated in the first part of the charge-sheet have been proved and remaining charges in the second part are not proved.

(3.) The Disciplinary Authority considering the entire material on record proceeded to impose the punishment by the impugned order dated 9-4-2014 withholding ensuing three annual increments for a period of 2 years without cumulative effect. Hence the present writ petition is filed by the petitioner.