THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE K.C. BHANU WRIT PETITION No.15345 OF 2011 ORDER: This Writ Petition is filed to declare the action of respondent No.3 in terminating the petitioner from service on the allegation of unauthorized absence without holding any enquiry, attaching stigma vide Proceedings No.M2/1(23)/2007 – AMP, dated 11.09.2007, as arbitrary, contrary to APSRTC Regulations, contrary to Circular instructions, and as such liable to be set aside with a consequential direction to extend the benefits to the petitioner on par with his colleagues including regularization. 2. Heard both sides. 3. Learned counsel on either side submit that the impugned order of termination of the services of the petitioner, who is a contract Driver, could not have been brought about without conducting an enquiry, as laid down in the policy decision of the Corporation, but yet the Depot Manager, Amalapuram, East Godavari District, has passed the orders on 11.09.2007 terminating the services of the petitioner without conducting enquiry. In similar circumstances, while entertaining W.P. No.5998 of 2009, W.P. No.23764 of 2010 and so many other cases, this Court has been making it clear that the Depot Managers shall not impose major punishments or pass orders of termination or disengagement of the services of the contract Drivers, without following the due procedure. 4. In view of the same, this Writ Petition is allowed at the stage of admission setting aside the impugned Proceedings No.M2/1(23)/2007 – AMP, dated 11.09.2007, passed by respondent No.3 and the petitioner be re-engaged as a contract Driver. The petitioner will be entitled to reckon the previous service rendered by him prior to 11.09.2007 in the Corporation for regularization in existing or future vacancies. However, the petitioner will not be entitled to any monetary benefit arising from out of setting aside the proceedings, dated 11.09.2007. It is also made clear that the period from the date of termination till the date of reinstatement shall not be treated for any other purposes. There shall be no order as to costs. _______________ K.C. BHANU, J June 09, 2011 MD IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD THURSDAY, THE NINETH DAY OF JUNE TWO THOUSAND AND ELEVEN PRESENT THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE K.C. BHANU WRIT PETITION No.15345 OF 2011 Between: K. Chanti .....PETITIONER AND The A.P.S.R.T.C. and others ....RESPONDENTS The Court made the following: THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE K.C. BHANU WRIT PETITION No.15345 OF 2011 June 09, 2011