THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE L.NARASIMHA REDDY WRIT PETITION No.27173 of 2010 ORDER: The petitioner is working as a Driver in Siddipet Depot of A.P.S.R.T.C. He was on duty to drive a service on 16.06.2005 from Shiridi to Siddipet. One bus belonging to Hayathnagar Depot was proceeding in front of him and a tourist bus with Karnataka Registration was coming behind. All the three buses were proceeding in a narrow bridge. Karnataka bus hit the bus being driven by the petitioner, which, in turn has dashed against the bus going in front of it. A charge memo was issued to the petitioner on 15.11.2006 in relation to the said incident. The petitioner submitted his explanation stating that he was not at fault and the incident occurred on account of the negligence on the part of the Driver of the bus with Karnataka Registration coming behind. Not satisfied with that, the Depot Manager, Siddipet Depot, respondent No.1 herein, appointed an Enquiry Officer. Taking the report of the Enquiry Officer into account, respondent No.1 passed an order, dated 15.03.2007, imposing the punishment of deferment of increment for a period of two years with cumulative effect. The same is challenged in this writ petition. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Standing Counsel for the respondent. It is, no doubt, true that even from a perusal of the charge memo, it becomes evident that the petitioner was virtually helpless, since his bus was in between two other buses. When the bus coming from the rear-side has hit the one driven by the petitioner, the inevitable consequence would be that it would hit the bus in front of it. Added to that, all the buses were passing through a narrow bridge. The Enquiry Officer also expressed the view that the principal responsibility was that of the Driver coming behind. This Court would certainly have appreciated the matter on merits also, but for the fact that the petitioner had an effective alternative remedy by way of appeal. The appellate authority would be in a better position to peruse the entire record and pass appropriate orders. Therefore, the writ petition is disposed of, leaving it open to the petitioner to avail the remedy of appeal. It is directed that in case the appeal is filed within four weeks from today, the same shall be entertained without raising any objection as to the limitation. There shall be no order as to costs. _______________________ L.NARASIMHA REDDY,J Dt: 09.11.2010. kdl