The Management v. Mr.T.Sundarrajan

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 03-06-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE K. SURENDER and W.M.P. No.30035 of 2021 The Management Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai) Ltd., Pallavan Salai, Chennai 600 002.

..Petitioner(s) Vs Mr.T.Sundarrajan Rep. by General Secretary, Arasanga Pokkuvarathu Oozhiyar Sangam, No.2, Pallavan Salai, Chennai 600 002.

..Respondent(s) PRAYER - This Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking for a Writ of Certiorari, calling for the records pertaining to the order passed in I.D.No.160 of 2015 dated 29.03.2019 on the file of the III Additional Labour Court, Chennai and quash the same. For Petitioner(s):

Mr. C. Gauthamaraj For 1st Respondent:

Mr. S.T.VARADARAJULU

O R D E R

This Writ Petition is filed seeking to call for the records pertaining to the order passed in I.D.No.160 of 2015 dated 29.03.2019 on the file of the III Additional Labour Court, Chennai and quash the same.

2.The Metropolitan Transport Corporation has filed this Writ Petition questioning the orders passed by the III Additional Labour Court, Chennai, modifying the order of punishment imposed on the respondent. 3.Briefly, the facts of the case are that while the respondent/Conductor was on duty on 26.12.1991 in Bus Route No.18JJ, which was plying from Broadway to Tambaram, the Checking Inspectors checked the Bus and found two passengers without ticket and when they were enquired, the passengers informed that they have paid the money for 3 tickets at Rs.1.85, however, the Conductor has issued only 1 ticket and the remaining amount for 2 tickets (Rs.3.70) was not credited to the Corporation. Further, the Inspectors found Rs.13.90 less in the cash bag. Two charges were framed against the respondent. Firstly, for not issuing two tickets for Rs.1.85, amounting to Rs.3.70, despite having collected amount from the passengers. The second charge is that there was a shortage of Rs.13.90 in the cash bag.

4.The management having conducted domestic enquiry, found that the charges were proved against the respondent and imposed the punishment of stoppage of 3 years increments with cumulative effect. 5.From the materials on record, it is seen that no witnesses were examined during the course of enquiry before the Labour Court. However,

documents marked as Exs.W1 to W8 were considered by the Labour Court, which found that the charge relating to shortage of cash amounting to Rs.13.90 and the failure to issue tickets to two passengers despite collecting a sum of Rs.3.70 was proved. However, taking the view that the punishment was harsh, the Labour Court modified the same to stoppage of increment to one year with cumulative effect, instead of three years.

6.Having gone through the Labour Court's order, this Court does not find any illegality in the same, considering the modification of the punishment imposed. Further, this Court is of the opinion that having regard to the charges proved, the punishment of stoppage of increment of one year with cumulative effect cannot be said to be disproportionate. Accordingly, this Court finds no ground to interfere with the said impugned order. 7.In the result, this Writ Petition is dismissed. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed.

K.SURENDER, J.

03-06-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order GSA

K.SURENDER, J.

GSA and W.M.P. No.30035 of 2021 03-06-2026