THE HON’BLE MR JUSTICE L. NARASIMHA REDDY Writ Petition No.22944 of 2007 ORDER: The petitioner is employed as Driver in the Chittoor Region of A.P.S.R.T.C. and is attached to Palamner Depot. On 03.08.2004, he was driving a bus bearing No. AP 10 Z 3543. An accident occurred, in which one person died and another person sustained serious injuries, and damage was caused to the bus as well as the tractor and trailor. Show cause notice was issued to the petitioner framing a charge alleging negligence, while discharging duties. Explanation submitted by the petitioner was not accepted and a departmental enquiry was conducted. The charge framed against the petitioner was held proved. Taking the same into account, the 3rd respondent passed an order dated 09.08.2005, imposing the punishment of stoppage of annual increments for a period of two years with cumulative effect. Aggrieved thereby, the petitioner filed an appeal before the Divisional Manager, Chittoor, the 2nd respondent herein. The appeal was dismissed on 26.08.2006. Thereafter, the petitioner filed a review before the Regional Manager, the 1st respondent herein. The review was partly allowed reducing the punishment to the one of stoppage of annual increment for a period of one year with cumulative effect. The petitioner feels aggrieved by the denial of relief in its entirety. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned standing counsel for the respondents. The petitioner does not deny the occurrence of an accident, death of an individual and serious injuries to another, on account of the accident. The Corporation would incur heavy financial liability, on account of the same. It can safely be said that the 3rd respondent has taken a very lenient and reasonable view vis-à-vis the petitioner and imposed a punishment of deferment of increments. The 1st respondent has exhibited generosity and reduced the punishment almost to a minimum level. This Court does not find any basis to interfere with the orders challenged in the writ petition. The writ petition is accordingly dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs. _______________________ L.NARASIMHA REDDY, J Dt:11.10.2011 GJ