THE HON’BLE Ms. JUSTICE G. ROHINI WRIT PETITION No.10811 of 2000 O R D E R : The petitioner herein was appointed as a Conductor in the A.P. State Road Transport Corporation (for short, ‘Corporation’) in the year 1991. On 11.7.1995 while he was conducting a Bus from Veludurthy to Kodumur a check was conducted by the T.T.I. of the Corporation at Stage No.9 at Yalakalacheruvu. Alleging that the petitioner had issued 39 unpunched tickets of Rs.1.50 ps denomination, the petitioner was placed under put off duty and was issued a charge-sheet dated 18.7.1995 with the following charges: “(1) For having collected the requisite fare of Rs.1.50 each from a batch of 36 passengers who were found alighting at Yerukulacheruvu having boarded the bus at Krishnagiri ex-stages 8 to 9 and having issued unpunched tickets bearing No.23/696861 to 23/696897 of Rs.1.50 denm., to above said passengers which constitute misconduct u/r. 28 (vi) (a) of APSRTC Employees (Conduct) Reg. 1963”. (2) For having issued 39 unpunched and partially torn condition tickets of Rs.1.50 ps., denm., to said batch of 36 passengers and not accounting in S.R. which constitute misconduct u/R.28 (vi) (a) of APSRTC Employees (Conduct) Regulation, 1963”. (3) For having failed to punch the tickets even though working with nipper and while punching other passengers two tickets, which constitutes misconduct u/R. 28 (xvii) of APSRTC Employees (conduct) Reg. 1963.” (4) For having refused to sign in the concerned column in the S.R. which constitute misconduct U/R. 28 (xvii) of APSRTC Employees (conduct) Regulations, 1963.” (5) For having altered the number of issues i.e., ‘13’ to ‘6’ of Rs.150 ps denm. at stage No.9 and also the number of passengers at Stage No.8 in your trip of Rs.13.00 hrs., Kodumur to Veldurthy which constituted misconduct u/S.28 (vi) (a) of APSRTC Employees (conduct) Reg. 1963. (6) For having failed to show the number of passenger in S.R. at Stage No.9 in your 15-30 hrs., Veldurthy to Kodumur trip which constitute misconduct (U/R. 28 (xvi) of APSRTC Employees (Conduct) Reg. 1963.” (7) For having closing the Rs.1.50 denm., ticket numbers at Stage No.9 ambiguously in advance in your trip of 15.30 hrs., Veldurthi to Kodumur without punching the said tickets which cost already issued to the said batch of 36 passengers which constitutes misconduct under Reg. 23 (xvi) (a) of APSRTC Employees (Conduct) Reg. 1963.” After a detailed enquiry, except Charge No.3 the other charges were held proved and accordingly by order dated 20.02.1996 the petitioner was removed from service. The Appeal preferred by the petitioner before the Senior Manager (O), Kurnool, was dismissed and the further review/revision was also dismissed by the Regional Manager, by order dated 31.10.1996. In the circumstances, the petitioner filed I.D.No.39 of 1997 on the file of the Industrial Tribunal-cum-Labour Court, Anantapur, and the same was also dismissed by order dated 30.07.1999. Hence the present writ petition contending that the findings recorded in the domestic enquiry as well as the Tribunal below are unsustainable. Having heard the learned counsel for both parties, I do not find any justifiable reason to interfere with the concurrent finding of fact that the petitioner had deliberately did not punch 36 tickets taking advantage of short distance and with an intention to re- issue the same tickets from stage No.9. The said finding which is based on proper appreciation of the evidence produced by the parties warrants no interference by this Court in exercise of jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. Having regard to the gravity of the allegations, even the penalty of removal cannot be held to be disproportionate or excessive. In the circumstances the Writ Petition is devoid of any merit and the same is accordingly dismissed. No costs. ______________ G. ROHINI, J Date: 17-04-2009 gbs