IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD (Special Original Jurisdiction) TUESDAY, THE TWENTY SIXTH DAY OF APRIL TWO THOUSAND AND FIVE PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE K.C. BHANU WRIT PETITION NO : 9514 of 2005 Between: G. Prabhakar S/o Laxmaiah Shadnagar, Mahaboobnagar District ..... PETITIONER AND The Depot manager, APSRTC., Shadnagar, Mahaboobnagar District .....RESPONDENT Petition under Article 226 of the constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the Affidavit filed herein the High Court will be pleased to issue a Writ, order or directions more in the nature of Writ of Mandamus, declaring the office order dt 24-6-1996 as illegal and arbitrary and set aside the same with all consequential benefits including arrears. Counsel for the Petitioner:MR.P.GOVINDA RAJULU Counsel for the Respondent: MR.P.VINAYAKA SWAMY The Court at the admission stage made the following O R D E R: Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned standing counsel appearing for the respondents. The petitioner questions the order dated 24.06.1996 imposing punishment of postponement of annual increment for a period of one year, which shall have the effect of postponing the future increments. The petitioner contends that imposing the punishment of postponement of increments with cumulative effect is a major penalty and the same cannot be imposed without conducting any enquiry. This Court in S.K.Mastan v. Managing Director, APSRTC, held that imposition of punishment of postponement of increments with cumulative effect is a major penalty and the same cannot be imposed unless preceded by an enquiry. Having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case and following the above judgment, I am inclined to modify the punishment imposed on the petitioner to that of postponement of one annual increment without cumulative effect. Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of modifying the punishment imposed on the petitioner to that of postponement of annual increment for a period of one year, which shall not have the effect of postponing the future increments. By virtue of this order, petitioner is not entitled for any monetary benefits from the date of punishment till this date. However, he is entitled for increments on notional calculation. No costs. _______________ (K.C.BHANU,J) Dt:26th April, 2005 kvr To 1. The Depot manager, APSRTC., Shadnagar, Mahaboobnagar District 2. 2 CD copies 3. 1 CC to MR.GOVINDA RAJULU Form-NIC-OGS/WP{TRT}