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The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation sacked the bus conductor Ayyanar alleging negligence in work. (concept image)
The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) fired a conductor eight years ago. That too just because in the surprise inspection, 7 rupees more came out of his collection bag.
Now the Madras High Court has reprimanded TNSTC and ordered the reinstatement of the conductor within a week. Court said- The punishment given to the conductor shook the conscience of the court.
The conductor was sacked 8 years ago
The case is of 2015, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Villupuram Division) checked in a bus. During this, 7 rupees more were found according to the ticket deducted from the collection bag of the bus conductor Ayyanar. On 10 December 2015, the corporation stated that it had resulted in loss of revenue and sacked Ayyanar with immediate effect.
Ayyanar challenged this decision of the Corporation in the Madras High Court. Advocate S.Elambaharti took up the whole matter and expressed his desire not to charge any fee for the case.
While hearing the matter, Justice PB Balaji reprimanded the corporation. He said- It is unimaginable that the corporation’s revenue would have suffered because of taking Rs 7 more. The punishment given to Ayyanar is highly disproportionate to the crime. It shocks the conscience of the court.
What were the charges against the conductor?
The corporation accused Ayyanar of negligence in work. He did not give ticket to a lady passenger even after taking money for the ticket. During the investigation, there was an excess of seven rupees in his collection bag. He has done the work of harming the corporation. He was not a responsible employee.
What did Ayyanar’s lawyer say in his defence?
Ayyanar’s lawyer Elambharathi rubbished the corporation’s allegations. He told the court that Ayyanar had given tickets to all the passengers on the bus. A woman had boarded the bus, she had to go nearby. Ayyanar gave him a ticket of five rupees.
During the journey, the woman lost the ticket and due to fear during checking, she accused the conductor of not giving her the ticket. At the same time, he had to return the two rupees found in the collection bag to a passenger.
The court said – satisfied with the arguments of the plaintiff
After hearing the arguments of both the sides, the court said – We are satisfied with the arguments given by Ayyanar’s lawyer. The Corporation is ordered to reinstate Ayyanar within a week.