THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOOTY RAMAMOHANA RAO WRIT PETITION No. 5451 2011 O R D E R: The writ petitioner has been engaged as a driver on contract basis in the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation. He joined the service and was entrusted with the duties. On the ground that he remained absent unauthorizedly from 15.01.2007 onwards, the Depot Manager, Adoni Bus Depot, the 2nd respondent herein, terminated the petitioner from service, by an order passed on 31.01.2007. The same is challenged in this Writ Petition. Heard the learned counsel for the writ petitioner and the learned Standing Counsel for APSRTC. Though the engagement of the writ petitioner was on contract basis, the Corporation was under obligation to follow the procedure prescribed under the Regulations for disciplinary matters. Neither any show cause notice was issued nor any domestic enquiry was directed. The order suffers from the vice of violation of principles of natural justice, apart from being violative of prescribed procedure. Hence, the Writ Petition is allowed, and the impugned order is set aside. The respondents shall reinstate the petitioner into service within 30 days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. The petitioner, however, shall not be entitled to any back wages, or other monetary benefits, on account of this order, and it shall be open to the respondents to initiate disciplinary action, in accordance with law, if they so intend. No costs. --------------------------------- Nooty Ramamohana Rao, J 7th March 2011 ksld