THE HON’BLE MR JUSTICE L. NARASIMHA REDDY Writ Petition No.25342 of 2011 ORDER: The petitioner is working as Driver in the Uppal Depot of APSRTC. It was alleged that on account of his rash and negligent driving, one of the passengers died at Narayanaguda. A preliminary enquiry was caused and the Depot Manager, the 3rd respondent, passed an order, dated 23.12.2010, imposing the punishment of stoppage of increments for a period of two years with cumulative effect. The appeal filed against the same was rejected, on 31.03.2011. Hence, this writ petition. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned standing counsel for the respondents. The principal ground urged by the petitioner is that though a charge sheet was issued to him, no departmental enquiry was conducted, before the major punishment was imposed. Time and again, this Court held that imposition of punishment of stoppage of increments with cumulative effect is a major penalty and that cannot be imposed without conducting enquiry. On this short ground, the writ petition is allowed and the impugned order is set aside. It is, however, left open to the 3rd respondent to institute disciplinary proceedings, against the petitioner, and pass appropriate orders, in accordance with law, thereafter. There shall be no order as to costs. _______________________ L.NARASIMHA REDDY, J Dt:09.09.2011 GJ