Conductor fired for 75 paise wins in Hyderabad High Court after 23 years
Hyderabad: A conductor who lost his job for failing to issue a 75 paise ticket to a passenger in 1994 ultimately won his case before the Hyderabad HC after a long battle of 23 years.
Though M.L. Ali had won the case before the Industrial Disputes Tribunal in 1997, the RTC dragged him to the HC by filing a writ before a single judge and then filed an appeal after the judge confirmed the order of the Tribunal.
Mr Ali joined the RTC as a conductor in 1976 and was caught by a checking squad while he was serving on a bus on Route No: 70. The Enforcement Squad found some cash and ticket irregularities, and disciplinary proceedings were initiated against him.
The conductor was charged for failing to issue ticket to a passenger after collecting the fare of 75 paise and also failing to collect the fare and issue tickets to two women found traveling without tickets from Charminar to Fathe Darwaza. After the inquiry, he was dismissed on March 17, 1994. Challenging his removal, he moved the Industrial Dispute Tribunal contending that the inquiry officer did not consider his explanation.
In his explanation, he stated that the passenger boarded the bus when it was proceeding via Himmatpura. The passenger gave only 50 paise and he was asking for the remaining money when the check was conducted.
Finding fault with the inquiry officer not considering the explanation, the Tribunal set aside the dismissal order in 1997 and directed reinstatement of the workman with continuity of service and back wages as there were no charges of misappropriation of money. The RTC moved the HC by filing a writ before a single judge in 1998. The writ was dismissed and the Tribunal’s order upheld in 2008. The RTC moved the appeal in 2009.
A division bench comprising Acting CJ Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice Shameem Akhter dismissed the appeal by the Telangana RTC by upholding the single judge order directing reinstatement with continuity of service and back wages.
Delay ruined his life
He may have won a long battle, but the judicial delay completely destroyed Mr M.L. Ali’s life. Mr S. Khaja Mynuddin, counsel for the petitioner, said that after removal from service, Ali led a miserable life and his family got scattered. Now, he is living with his mother in a remote village in Warangal district.
“For some time he did odd jobs in the city and used to visit our office regarding his case. We are now waiting for him to visit our office as he does not have even a cell phone,” Mr Mynuddin said. The advocate said as he did not have an address his “case was filed by giving our office address”. Mr Mynuddin said Ali would get back wages and all benefits.
