“Furnish copies of probe papers to driver”

He has been served notice asking him to explain why he should not be sacked

The Madras High Court has directed the General Manager of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, Villupuram, to furnish copies of documents sought for by a bus driver, who has been served show-cause notice asking him as to why he should not be dismissed from service.

Justice N. Paul Vasanthakumar passed the order on a petition by A. Krishnamoorthi filed through counsel R.Y. George Williams.

Mr. Krishnamoorthi stated that on January 1, 2010 a bus from Koyambedu to Villupuram hit a pedestrian near Palappattu.

He was on duty. After an enquiry, he was placed under suspension. He submitted his explanation to the charge memo. Later, an enquiry was conducted and concluded in a day. He was not supplied with a copy of the enquiry proceedings and witnesses' deposition. Further, in the enquiry report, the date of enquiry was not mentioned.

He said the findings of the enquiry officer was not supported by any other evidence and solely depended on the hearsay evidence of a co-driver who prepared the accident report. In the second show-cause notice issued in August this year, he was asked to submit his explanation against the provisional conclusion of dismissing him from service. In the notice, several earlier acts of misconduct were cited. He wished to give a proper reply to the notice for which he needed certain documents and more time for submitting a detailed explanation.

Disposing of the petition, Mr. Justice Paul Vasanthakumar said on receipt of documents, the driver should submit his explanation. Thereafter, the transport corporation could pass final orders after considering the explanation.