HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE L. NARASIMHA REDDY WRIT PETITION No.1615 OF 2004 ORDER: Petitioner is working as Driver in the Bhimavaram Depot of APSRTC. On 07-04-2000, while he was driving the bus on the route from Visakhapatnam to Bhivaram, an accident occurred at Tuni, resulting in death of two persons. Based on that, a charge sheet, dated 20-04-2000, was issued to the petitioner. He submitted his explanation on 04-05-2000. Not satisfied with the explanation, the 3rd respondent appointed an Enquiry Officer. After conducting the domestic enquiry, the Enquiry Officer submitted a report, holding that the charges are proved. Taking the same into account, the 3rd respondent passed an order, dated 21-08-2001, imposing punishment of reduction by two incremental stages for a period of two years with cumulative effect. The period of suspension is directed to be treated as not on duty for the purpose of leave and increments. The petitioner availed the remedies of appeal and review before the concerned departmental authorities, but without any success. Hence, this writ petition. 2. Heard Sri S.M. Subhan, learned counsel for the petitioner and Sri K. Satyanarayana Murthy, learned Standing Counsel for the respondents. 3. The petitioner does not dispute that fatal accident, leading to death of two persons, has occurred when he was driving the bus. Whatever be the explanation, the very fact that the driving of the bus by the petitioner is the immediate cause for the death of two individuals, is a matter, serious enough, that warrants severe punishment. The 3rd respondent taken the correct view of the matter and this Court does not find any basis to interfere with the impugned order. 4. Hence, the Writ Petition is dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs. ____________________ L. NARASIMHA REDDY, J December 30, 2010. KTL