D T C Vs. RUMAL SINGH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) After hearing arguments in this matter, I had, vide order pronounced today, dismissed the writ petition, for reasons to be recorded thereafter. This judgment records the reasons for such dismissal.

(2.) The controversy is extremely narrow. While he was working as a Conductor with the petitioner DTC, the respondent Rumal Singh was issued a charge sheet on 20th February, 1985, following which a departmental inquiry was held, which found the respondent guilty. The charge against the respondent, it may be noted, was of issuing tickets of denomination lesser than the fare collected from the passengers. Show Cause Notice dated 30th March, 1986, followed, culminating in the removal, of the respondent, from the services of the DTC, vide order dated 16th May, 1986.

(3.) The respondent initiated an industrial dispute, which was referred, by the appropriate Government, to the Labour Court, vide order of reference dated 22nd May, 1987, containing the following single term of reference: