THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE G.CHANDRAIAH W.P.NO.32771 OF 2011 O R D E R Heard the counsel for the petitioner and the Standing Counsel for the respondent – Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation. 2. The petitioner was appointed as Contractor driver on 10.5.2005 in the Corporation. On the ground of unauthorized absence from duty, the 3rd respondent by order dated 31.3.2008 terminated the petitioner from service. On appeal by order dated 7.12.2009, the 1st respondent – Regional Manager, reinstated the petitioner afresh without continuity of service. Aggrieved by the action of the 1st respondent in denying continuity of service, the present writ petition is filed. 3. The admitted fact on record is that before terminating the services of the petitioner, no enquiry, in conformity with the principles of natural justice has been conducted. In similar circumstances, where the Corporation terminated the services of a contract employee, without conducting enquiry and subsequently re- engaged on filing appeal without granting continuity of service, this court in W.P.No.8090 of 2010 by order dated 12.4.2010, held that the contractual employees, who are re-engaged on the orders of removal being set aside, are entitled for the benefit of past service. 4. Following the same, the writ petition is allowed and it is directed that the petitioner shall be entitled to the benefit of the service between the date of termination and the date of re-engagement. 5. There shall be no order as to costs. AVS ------------------------------ 16—12—2011 Note: Issue C.C. in three days. B/O