A K JAYAPRAKASH RAO Vs. H VENUGOPAL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioner was employed as a conductor with the 1st respondent Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation. While he was conducting a bus plying from Wanaparthy to Kethepalli via Panagal on 18.08.1996, a cheque was conducted on the said bus at stage No.8, Panagal. The Travelling Ticket Inspectors have noticed certain irregularities committed by the petitioner. Importantly, they noticed that the petitioner has not punched the three tickets bearing Nos. 197/799, 468-471 of Rs.2/- denomination. They have also noticed that the writ petitioner has not closed the statistical return (SR) with regard to the tickets of Rs.2/- denomination, while he closed the entries with regard to the tickets of other denominations. It is also alleged against the writ petitioner that the bus has reached Panagal stage 25 minutes ahead of its scheduled time. It is further alleged that the petitioner has allowed the bus to start its journey without completing the process of issuing tickets. It is further alleged that the petitioner has misbehaved with the checking officials by abusing them. He was immediately placed under suspension on 28.08.1996 and he was also served with a charge sheet on the same day. The petitioner filed his explanation thereto on 05.09.1996, denying the charges. A domestic enquiry followed and the Enquiry Officer submitted his report on 12.11.1996 holding the petitioner guilty and based thereon, the Depot Manager, Wanaparthy has drawn a show cause notice on 28.11.1996, proposing to impose on the petitioner a penalty of reduction of his basic pay by two incremental stages for a period of two years which shall have the effect on his future increments, besides treating the period of suspension as 'not on duty'. Though the writ petitioner has received the said show cause notice, he has not bothered to file his reply thereto. Consequently, the Depot Manager had arrived at a conclusion that the petitioner should be punished and accordingly, imposed the punishment by his proceedings, dated 09.12.1996.

(2.) IT will be relevant to notice the entire contents of the punishment order passed by the Depot Manager, Vanaparthy:

(3.) I therefore, hereby order that your present basic pay be reduced by two incremental stages for a period of two years which shall have effect on your future increments besides treating your suspension period from 28.8.96 to till your report for duty at the depot where you posted by the Regional Manager, Mahaboobnagar as NOT ON DUTY for all purposes. Please acknowledge the receipt. DEPOT MANGER WANAPARTHY.