IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD (Special Original Jurisdiction) FRIDAY, THE TWENTY NINTH DAY OF APRIL TWO THOUSAND AND FIVE PRESENT THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE B.SESHASAYANA REDDY WRIT PETITION NO : 10555 of 2005 Between: K.Satyanarayana, S/o. Suranna, Kotipalli Village & Post, K.Gangavaram Mandal, E.G.District. ..... PETITIONER AND 1 The Regional Manger, APSRTC, Rajahmundry Region, E.G.District. 2 The Depot Manger, APSRTC, Ramachandrapuram Bus Depot, E.G.District. .....RESPONDENTS Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed herein the High Court may be pleased to issue an order, direction of writ more particularly one in the nature of writ of Mandamus declaring the action of the 2nd respondent in issuing the Proceedings No.P2/1(25)/96RCPM, dt.25-05-1999 as illegal, arbitrary and unjust and consequently set aside the Proceedings No.P2/1(25)/96RCPM, dt.25-05-1999, issued by the 2nd respondent and direct the respondents to pay consequential benefits and pass such further other order or orders as this Hon'ble court may deem fit and proper under the circumstances of the case. Counsel for the Petitioner: MR.PEETA RAMAN Counsel for the Respondent Nos.1 & 2: KUM.B.G.UMA DEVI The Court made the following : ORDER: The writ petition is filed questioning the imposition of punishment of deferment of two increments with cumulative effect, without conducting the departmental enquiry against the petitioner by the respondents. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned standing counsel for the respondents. It is not in dispute that the punishment has been imposed on the petitioner without conducting any departmental enquiry. It is well settled that imposition of major punishment must be preceded by a regular departmental enquiry. Having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case, the major punishment of deferment of annual increments for a period of two years with cumulative effect imposed by the 2nd respondent can be reduced with slight modification. Therefore, the impugned order of punishment is modified as deferment of two annual increments without cumulative effect. The writ petition is disposed of accordingly. No costs. ___________ 29-04-2005 rkk Copy to 1 The Regional Manger, APSRTC, Rajahmundry Region, E.G.District. 2 The Depot Manger, APSRTC, Ramachandrapuram Bus Depot, E.G.District. 3 Two CD copies.