A. Purushothaman v. The Presiding Officer
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 20.07.2023
CORAM:
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RMT.TEEKAA RAMAN A.Purushothaman ..
Petitioner vs.
1. The Presiding Officer, Labour Court, Vellore District.
2. The Management of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Ltd., Villupuram Division - II, Vellore-9.
..
Respondents Prayer : Writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records from the 1st respondents pertaining to the Award passed in I.A.No.440/2000 dated 27.03.2008 and quash the same and consequently, direct the 2nd respondent to reinstate the petitioner with back wages, continuity of services and all other attendant benefits, Award cost. For Petitioner :
Mr.P.Vijendran For Respondents :
Mrs.S.Pavithra (for R2) R1-Court 1/9
ORDER
The writ petition is challenging the order of termination passed by the Management.
2. The petitioner was working as a Conductor in the respondent Corporation. While he was on duty on 04.08.1995 as Conductor in the bus bearing Regn.No.TN23-N-0604 in Route No.444P/A, he committed the following offence as could be seen from the charge memo dated 18.08.1985.
"a) On 04.08.1995, he allowed three passengers to travel without tickets in route No.444B.
b) That he collected fare from a group of five passengers who were travelling from Padavedu to Santhavasal but issued tickets only to three passengers. He failed to issue ticket to one passenger and issued one ticket which was sold in the previous trip to another passenger. c) That he collected Rs.15/- from two passengers travelling from Padavedu to Vellore and issued the ticket to the previous trip. d) That he was having excess of Rs.52.20p e) Disobedience to rules and regulations of the Corporation. f) Misappropriation of funds of the Corporation."
3. After charges have been framed, explanation on the charge memo has been called for. As the explanation submitted by the 2/9
petitioner herein found to be not satisfactory, in the departmental proceedings the enquiry officer, following the principles of natural justice, had held that the charges are proved.
4. After the charges have been proved, the respondent Corporation has made second show cause notice. The second show cause notice was issued based on the findings of the enquiry officer. The irregularities committed by the petitioner in his past service period, are as follows: S.No.
Charge Memo & Date Charges Punishment 576/12485/L3/93 14.05.1994 Failed to take the passenger in the bus those who are waiting for the bus alone and made them to board in a Private bus.
Stoppage of Absorption for 6 months 8178/L5/93 23.06.94 Failed to fill up the invoice with correct particulars as well as failed to fill up the Nos. legibly in Traffic return Strictly warned 12867/L6/94 31.07.95 Shortage of amount of Rs.112.10.
Fined Rs.25/- 9882/L6/94 31.07.95 Shortage of amount of Rs.121.85 Fined Rs.25/- 9914/L6/94 31.07.95 Shortage of amount of Rs.133.50 Fined Rs.25/- 12701/L6/94 25.08.95 Shortage of amount of Rs.131/- Fined Rs.25/- 86/4862/L5/95 24.08.95 Shortage of amount of Rs.55.90 Fined Rs.20/- 5/398/L6/95 01.08.95 Shortage of amount of Rs.181.25 Fined Rs.30/- 9884/L6/95 Shortage of amount of Rs.135.20 Fined Rs.25/- 3/9
S.No.
Charge Memo & Date Charges Punishment 25.08.98 5/397/L6/95 20.12.95 Shortage of amount of Rs.108.70 Stoppage of increment for 1 year with cumulative effect 9992/L6/95 14.12.95 Shortage of amount of Rs.133.75 Fined Rs.25/- 9857/L6/95 27.02.96 Shortage of amount of Rs.109.85 Stoppage of increment for 6 months with cumulative effect 10042/L6/95 05.03.96 Shortage of amount of Rs.120.40 Stoppage of increment for 1 year with cumulative effect 234/52348/L8/95 11.03.96 Unauthorised absent from duty.
Stoppage of increment for 6 months without cumulative effect 406/57114/L5/96 29.08.96 Shortage of amount of Rs.73.35 Fined Rs.25/- 13983/L6/96 02.08.96 Shortage of amount of Rs.102.20 Fined Rs.40/- 355/22480/L5/96 08.09.96 Shortage of amount of Rs.60.65 Fined Rs.25/- 470/23062/L5/95 18.09.96 Shortage of amount of Rs.54.10 Fined Rs.25/- 122/1441/l5/95 07.02.97 Shortage of amount of Rs.52.70 Fined Rs.20/- 642/37180/L5/95 17.02.97 Shortage of amount of Rs.77.90 Fined Rs.25/- 92/4454/L6/97 30.04.97 Shortage of amount of Rs.107.70 Fined Rs.30/- 248/4609/L6/97 26.06.97 Shortage of amount of Rs.108.90 Fined Rs.30/- 279/4640/L6/97 18.07.97 Shortage of amount of Rs.141.40 Fined Rs.35/- 4/9
S.No.
Charge Memo & Date Charges Punishment 218/24882/L6/97 12.09.97 Shortage of amount of Rs.115/- Stoppage of increment for 1 year with cumulative effect 214/4575/L6/97 21.06.97 Collected luggage fare but failed to issue ticket Stoppage of increment for 3 years with cumulative effect 268/4629/L6/97 Shortage of amount of Rs.91/- Stoppage of increment for 2 years with cumulative effect 466/22890/L6/97 Shortage of amount of Rs.109.80 Stoppage of increment for 1 year with cumulative effect 497/22921/L6/97 Shortage of amount of Rs.135.40 Stoppage of increment for 2 years with cumulative effect 524/8573/L5/97 21.06.97 Shortage of amount of Rs.60.30 Fined Rs.15/- 32/4494/L6/97 Did not take the trip in time - create a bad name among the public Stoppage of increment for 1 year with cumulative effect 313/24933/L6/96 Shortage of amount of Rs.129.90 Stoppage of increment for 6 months without cumulative effect 731/31638/L5/97 25.09.97 Shortage of amount of Rs.107.90 Fined Rs.30/-
5. The antecedents of the petitioner has been placed before the Court numbering 32, out of which, for 29 times, there is irregularity of 5/9
'shortage of amount'. It appears that the petitioner has not amended his ways to correct himself and hence, a final show cause notice was issued on 24.12.1997 and thereafter, termination order has been issued.
6. The petitioner moved the tribunal in ID No.440 of 2000 under Section 2A(2) of the Industrial Disputes Act, seeking for the relief of reinstatement. Before the Labour Court, on the side of the petitioner, none were examined and no document was marked. The management has filed Ex.M.1 to Ex.M.13.
7. The Labour Court has observed that the domestic enquiry was conducted in a fair and proper manner and charges have been duly proved on the strength of the M2, M3, M4, M5 and M6 i.e., Ticket resale details, ticket issued details, passenger's statement, petitioner's statement and Way bill, respectively and accordingly, dismissed the IA. Hence, the writ petition.
8. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and perused the documents available on record.
6/9
9. It is seen from the evidence that the petitioner collected fare from the passengers, but issued the tickets sold in the previous trip and thereby misappropriated the amount as stated in the charge sheet. Furthermore, the statement of passenger and the petitioner [Ex.M4 & Ex.M5] and the Ticket resale details [Ex.M2], Ticket issued details [E.M3] and Way Bill [Ex.M6] would clearly demonstrate that the domestic enquiry has been conducted in a fair and proper manner.
10. Thus, the Labour Court has rightly held that the petitioner collected fare from the passengers and by issuing tickets sold in the previous trip, committed misconduct of misappropriation of money concerned. Further, he has already committed mischief of shortage of funds for 29 times and for such mischief, punishment was awarded upon him. In such situation, the order of termination of the service issued on 17.08.1998 by the respondent Corporation, cannot be said as invalid.
11. After hearing the learned counsel for the petitioner and also perusing Ex.M4 and Ex.M5, statement of the passenger and petitioner respectively and Ex.M2 and M3, the Ticket resale details and Ticket Issued details respectively, it is clear that the petitioner has committed 7/9
grave irregularities i.e. reissued the already issued tickets, by which he gained monetary benefits for himself and caused loss to the respondentCorporation and misappropriated the Corporation's fund and has committed this mischief for 29 times. Thus, I do not find any irregularity in the order passed by the labour Court warranting interference and therefore, the writ petition stands dismissed. No costs. 20.07.2023 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-Speaking Order ars To The Management of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Ltd., Villupuram Division - II, Vellore-9.
8/9
RMT.TEEKAA RAMAN, J.
ars 20.07.2023 9/9