THE HON’BLE MR JUSTICE L. NARASIMHA REDDY Writ Petition No.14097 of 2008 ORDER: The petitioner is working as a Conductor in the Mehdipatnam Depot of A.P.S.R.T.C. On 25-06-2006 a check was effected on the bus, being conducted by the petitioner. It is alleged that the petitioner collected Rs.5/- towards fare from a lady passenger and issued a ticked, which was already utilized. Another charge is that the petitioner collected fare of Rs.8/- from another lady passenger and issued previous day’s ticket. On this basis, the petitioner was placed under suspension, vide order dated 27-06-2008. He was also served a charge-sheet on the same day. The petitioner challenges the order of suspension. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that his client’s statement was not recorded at the time of causing check, and the statement, said to have been recorded from the passenger, cannot be relied upon, straightaway. Learned Standing Counsel for the respondents, on the other hand, submits that the truth or otherwise of the charges against the petitioner, would be established in the domestic inquiry, and having regard to the seriousness of the charges, no interference is warranted with the order of suspension. The petitioner is alleged to have collected fares from two passengers and re-issued the utilized tickets. The question as to whether the allegation made against the petitioner is true or not, needs to be examined in the domestic inquiry. For the present, it cannot be said that there is no basis for the respondents to place the petitioner under suspension. The interests of the petitioner can be protected by directing the respondents to conclude the disciplinary proceedings, within a period of two months. It is stated that the petitioner has not submitted explanation, as yet. Hence, the writ petition is disposed of, directing that, a) the petitioner shall submit his explanation within a period of one week from today, and b) the respondents shall conclude the disciplinary proceedings, within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. There shall be no order as to costs. _______________________ L. NARASIMHA REDDY, J. Dt.03-07-2008. c.c in three days. KO