Balamurugan, v. The Chairman Prtc/Secretary(Transport),
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 05-02-2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI and WMP NO. 3990 OF 2026 Balamurugan, Petitioner(s) Vs
1. The Chairman PRTC/Secretary(Transport), Puducherry Road Transport Corporation Ltd, Puducherry -605 001.
2.The Managing Director, Puducherry Road Transport Corporation Ltd, Raja Nagar, Puducherry -605 013.
3.The General Manager(Administration), Puducherry Road Transport Corporation Ltd, Raja Nagar, Puducherry -605 013.
Respondent(s) PRAYER;
This writ petition is filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, Calling for the records on the file of the 3rd respondent in the Impugned Order in No. 50/PRTC/Adm/2025/830 dated 25.09.2025 and quash the same and consequently direct the Respondents to provide the increment to the Petitioner and also the salary for the suspension period.
For Petitioner(s):
M/s.S. Lakshmi Narayanan For Respondent:
Mr.R.Sreedhar, AGP (P)
ORDER
This petition has been filed seeking the 3rd respondent in the Impugned Order in No. 50/PRTC/Adm/2025/830 dated 25.09.2025 and consequently direct the Respondents to provide the increment to the Petitioner and also the salary for the suspension period.
2. The case of the petitioner is that on 18.02.2017, while he was on duty bearing Bus.No.610-A bearing No Registration No.PY-01-N-7987 plying from Karaikkal to Mayiladuthurai, 5 passengers had boarded the bus in Kadali on the fron side of the bus, the bus was over crowd and he was issuing tickets from the backside. Immediately, at Memathur Area, the checking Inspector had boarded the bus and found out that the 4 passengers were not issued tickets, for which, the petitioner was suspended for a period from 18.12.2017 to 25.03.2017. It is further stated that the 3rd respondent, without conducting any enquiry or affording sufficient opportunity of hearing, passed the impugned order dated 25.09.2025 imposing the penalty of stoppage of increment for four years with cumulative effect and further stated that no salary will be paid to the petitioner for the suspension period. Challenging the same, the present writ petition has been filed.
3. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the
even assuming that the petitioner had committed the alleged misconduct, the respondent concerned ought to have conducted an enquiry, in order to enable the petitioner to defend his case. But without doing so, the 3rd respondent passed the impugned order and therefore the same suffers from violation of principles of natural justice. He therefore prays to set aside the same.
4. Learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents fairly submitted that the order impugned herein may be set aside and the respondent concerned will conduct enquiry after issuing show cause notice to the petitioner and thereafter pass appropriate orders, as per the standing orders of the Respondent Corporation.
6. Considering the submissions made by the learned counsel appearing on either side, this Court is inclined to set aside the order passed by the 3rd respondent dated 25.09.2025.
7. Accordingly, the order impugned herein is set aside and the matter is remanded back to the Authority. The Authority concerned shall issue Show Cause Notice to the petitioner and thereafter shall conduct full fledged enquiry and shall pass appropriate orders as per the standing orders of the Respondent Corporation.
8. With the above directions, this writ petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed. 05-02-2026 rli Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes To 1.The Chairman PRTC/Secretary(Transport), Puducherry Road Transport Corporation Ltd, Puducherry -605 001.
2.The Managing Director, Puducherry Road Transport Corporation Ltd, Raja Nagar, Puducherry -605 013.
3.The General Manager(Administration), Puducherry Road Transport Corporation Ltd, Raja Nagar, Puducherry -605 013.
M.DHANDAPANI J.
rli 05-02-2026