Vijayappan C vs Kerala State Road Transport Corporation

Murali Purushothaman, J

The petitioner is working as driver in the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation. On 21.06.2014, while the petitioner was working in Alappuzha Depot, the bus driven by him hit against a scooter resulting in the death of its rider. The petitioner states that he was acquitted of the charges levelled against him under Section 255(1) of Cr.P.C. by the Court of Judicial First Class Magistrate – I by Ext.P1 judgment However, in respect of the said incident, disciplinary proceedings were initiated against him under Rule 15 of the Kerala Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1960 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Rules' for short). The disciplinary proceedings culminated in Ext.P2 order of punishment keeping in abeyance the increment of the petitioner for a period of one year. Against Ext.P2, the petitioner has preferred Ext.P3 appeal before the 2nd respondent under Rule 23 of the Rules. The limited prayer of the petitioner in this writ petition is for a direction to the 2nd respondent to consider Ext.P3 appeal, expeditiously.

Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Standing Counsel.

In the facts and circumstances of the case and having considered the submissions made across the Bar, there will be a direction to the 2nd respondent to consider Ext.P3 appeal, as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment.

The writ petition is disposed of accordingly.