4 The facts leading to filing of the present Writ Petition are, briefly, as follows: 5 At the relevant point of time, the petitioner was working as Conductor in Jagtial depot of APSRTC. While so, on 06.10.1996, the petitioner, while conducting the bus bearing No.1936, failed to issue tickets to some passengers after collecting money from them, which fact was noticed by the checking officials. Thereafter, the third respondent issued a charge sheet on 23.10.1996 to the petitioner calling for his explanation, by keeping the petitioner under suspension for committing of cash and ticket irregularities. The petitioner submitted his explanation on 04.11.1996 to the said charge sheet. Being not satisfied with the explanation offered by the petitioner, the third respondent initiated disciplinary proceedings by appointing an enquiry officer. After completion of enquiry, the enquiry officer has submitted his report on 18.01.1997 holding that the petitioner is guilty of the charge. On 05.02.1997, the third respondent issued an office order-cum-show cause notice to the petitioner to show cause as to why the suspension period shall not be treated as not on duty. For one reason or the other, the petitioner did not offer his explanation to the said show cause notice. Thereupon, on 03.04.1997, the third respondent passed orders treating the suspension period of the petitioner as not on duty.
