E.Muthalappan v. The Managing Director

ORDER This Writ Petition has been filed for the following reliefs:-"directing the respondents to drop the proceedings and assign the petitioner duty based on his representations dated 02.02.2026 and 23.02.2026 within the time frame that may be stipulated by this Hon'ble court." Brief Facts:-

¶2The petitioner was appointed as a Conductor on a contract basis with the respondent Corporation on 01.09.2015 and has rendered more than ten years of continuous service with an unblemished record and no adverse remarks.

¶3On 23.01.2026, while on duty in Route Bus No. PY-01-DB-7954 operating from Puducherry to Karaikkal (a reserved service), the petitioner was attending to 52 reserved and 19 unreserved passengers. About three kilometers prior to the scheduled stage point, a Training Checking Inspector boarded the bus at Albert Check Post and conducted an inspection. Despite the petitioner Page3 of 5 explaining that verification and collection were in progress and that tickets had been issued, the Inspector, without proper verification, registered a false case against the petitioner. From the date of the incident, the petitioner has not been assigned duty.

¶4The petitioner would submit that the action of the Inspector is arbitrary, discriminatory, and contrary to the established instructions of the respondent Corporation. Earlier in a similar instance involving another conductor, the respondent Corporation had cancelled the proceedings and directed inspecting officials to board buses only at designated stage points. The present action is inconsistent with that practice.

¶5Therefore, the petitioner had submitted several representations dated

24.01.2026, 25.01.2026, 30.01.2026, 02.02.2026, 03.02.2026, 09.02.2026, and

23.02.2026 seeking withdrawal of the false proceedings and restoration of duty. However, no action or response has been received to date. Hence, the present Writ Petition.

¶6Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the records. Page4 of 5

¶7Considering the limited request of the petitioner and also taking note of the fact that, in an earlier similar instance, proceedings against a similarly placed person were withdrawn with instructions, the writ petition is allowed. The respondents are directed to consider and pass orders on the petitioner's representations dated 02.02.2026 and 23.02.2026, on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of 8 weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs. 24-03-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order SHR To

¶1The Managing Director Puducherry Road Transport Corporation Ltd., Raja Nagar, Puducherry 605 013

¶2The General Manager (Administration ) Puducherry Road Transport Corporation Ltd., Raja Nagar, Puducherry 605 013

¶3THE GENERAL MANAGER (Operation ) Puducherry Road Transport Corporation Ltd., Raja Nagar, Puducherry 605 013 Page5 of 5 P.T.ASHA J. SHR 24-03-2026

Page1 of 5 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 24-03-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA E.Muthalappan ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Managing Director Puducherry Road Transport Corporation Ltd., Raja Nagar, Puducherry 605 013 2. The General Manager (Administration ) Puducherry Road Transport Corporation Ltd., Raja Nagar, Puducherry 605 013 3. THE GENERAL MANAGER (Operation ) Puducherry Road Transport Corporation Ltd., Raja Nagar, Puducherry 605 013 ..Respondent(s) Prayer:- This petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to drop the proceedings and assign the petitioner duty based on his representations dated 02.02.2026 and 23.02.2026 within the time frame that may be stipulated by this Hon'ble court. Page2 of 5 For Petitioner(s): Mr.S.Lakshmi Narayanan For Respondent(s): Mr.Sreedhar, AGP (P)