THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE NOOTY RAMAMOHANA RAO WRIT PETITION No : 31889 of 2010 O R D E R: Learned Standing Counsel for Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation submits that the Corporation will conduct an enquiry within a period of eight weeks to determine whether the writ petitioner is any way responsible for causing a fatal accident, involving the bus belonging to the Corporation driven by him. The Corporation, which owns a huge fleet of buses, engages drivers with the express motto of driving their vehicles safely and duly observing the road safety principles. The drivers of motor vehicles are required to ferry the passengers from one destination to the other safely and they are also under an obligation to ensure that the rest of the road users including pedestrians are not injured in any manner. Particularly, when the accidents involving the buses of the Corporation invite criticism from the general public and financial implication by way of payment of compensation to the victims or their legal representatives as the case may be, it is only appropriate that a detailed enquiry should be conducted and based upon the result of the enquiry only, the question of reinstatement or re-engagement of the driver must be considered. If the driver is found to be responsible for causing the fatal accident, there cannot be any justification for the Corporation, for re-engaging or re-inducting such a driver. It is therefore, appropriate to direct the Corporation to conduct a detailed enquiry in the presence of the writ petitioner and duly providing him every opportunity to defend himself and based upon the result in the enquiry, suitable action be taken. The Writ Petition is accordingly disposed at the admission stage. No costs. ------------------------------------- NOOTY RAMAMOHANA RAO, J 20th December 2010 ksld ..... REGISTRAR // TRUE COPY // SECTION OFFICER To 1.2CCs to 2.2CD copies Form-NIC-OGS/WP{MSN}