MAHARASHTRA STATE ROAD TRANSPORT CORPORATION THROUGH ITS DIVISIONAL CONTROLLER vs ANIL PRATAP NIKAM

Court: Bombay High Court
Case type: Writ Petition
Decided on: 25-03-2026

<div> 2026:BHC-AUG:13234 1 960-wp-4796-2024 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY BENCH AT AURANGABAD WRIT PETITION NO. 4796 OF 2024 Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation, Jalgaon Division, Through its Divisional Controller. …..PETITIONER (Orig. Respondent) VERSUS Anil S/o. Pratap Nikam, Age: 45 years, Occu: Service, R/o Sane Nagar, Amalner, Tq. Amalner, Dist. Jalgaon. …..RESPONDENT (Orig. Complainant) ______________________________________________________ Mr. M. D. Shinde, Advocate for the Petitioner Mr. M. V. Bhamre, Advocate for Respondent ______________________________________________________ CORAM : AJIT B. KADETHANKAR, J. TH DATED : 25 MARCH, 2026 ORAL JUDGMENT :- . Rule. Rule made returnable forthwith. 2. Heard finally with consent of Mr. M. D. Shinde, learned Counsel for the petitioner and Mr. M. V. Bhamre, learned Counsel for the respondent. 3. Feeling aggrieved by the judgment and order dated 06.09.2022, passed by the Industrial Court Jalgaon in Revision Application (ULP) No.11 of 2022 whereby the Revision Application of the petitioner was dismissed, the 2 960-wp-4796-2024 petitioner/M.S.R.T.C. is before this Court in the present petition. 4. The facts in the case are not disputed by any party. The respondent was serving as a driver with the petitioner/ M.S.R.T.C. It so happened that an accident occurred on 31.07.2019 on Amalner to Indore Road while the respondent was driving the M.S.R.T.C. bus No.MH 20 BL 2404. Consequent to the accident, certain news were telecasted on television alleging that the bus driver was driving the bus in drunken condition. Relying upon the news flashed on television as also published in newspapers, the M.S.R.T.C. invoked the discipline and Appeal Rules particularly clause no. 6(1) of the Rules, and without conducting any departmental inquiry dismissed the respondent from the services. 5. The respondent challenged the dismissal vide complaint ULP No.32 of 2019 in the Court of learned Judge, Labour Court, Jalgaon. The Labour Court heard the parties and also considered to the provisions of Discipline and Appeal Rules of M.S.R.T.C. It was observed that the respondent was dismissed from the services merely on the basis of the news flashed on television as also publications in the newspaper. It was also observed that the M.S.R.T.C. has not even made an independent inquiry to confirm the truthfulness of the news flashed on the television and the newspapers publications. Observing that the dismissal of the respondent was against the principles of natural justice and also the concerned provisions of the Discipline and Appeal Rules of the M.S.R.T.C., the 3 960-wp-4796-2024 Labour Court allowed the complaint and directed the M.S.R.T.C. to reinstate the respondent with 50% back wages. 6. The said order was taken up in challenge by the M.S.R.T.C. before the Industrial Court, Jalgaon vide Revision Application ULP No.11 of 2022. Worth to note the respondent also challenged the directions given by the Labour Court to the extent of restraining the back wages to the extent of 50%. 7. After hearing both the parties, the Industrial Court, Jalgaon dismissed both the Revision Applications. M.S.R.T.C. then challenged the orders passed by the Labour Court and Industrial Court in the present Writ Petition. 8. With the able assistance of the learned Counsel for the respective parties, I have gone through the case papers of the Writ Petition. 9. Mr. M. D. Shinde, learned Counsel for the M.S.R.T.C. has produced before me the Discipline and Appeal Rules of the M.S.R.T.C. Clause no.5 and 6 of the Rules deal about the action to be taken against an employee in respect of alleged misconduct. The said clauses read as follows: 5- xSjorZ.kwdhP;k d`R;klaca/kh dk;Zokghckcr dk;Zin~/krh% ¼v½ xSjorZ.kwdhP;k d`R;kcn~ny vkjksi Bso.;kr vkysY;k ,[kk|k deZpkj;kyk rks /kkj.k djhr vlysY;k inkoj pkyq Bso.ks] pkSd’khl ck/kd gks.;kph fdaok egkeaMGkP;k fgrlaca/kkl vU;Fkk ghrdkjd gks.;kph ‘kD;rk vlsy rj] l{ke izkf/kdkjh R;kl fuyafcr d# ‘kdsy- l{ke izkf/kdkjh] vkiY;k LosPNk fu.kZ;kuqlkj] fuyafcr dj.;kr vkysY;k deZpkj;kyk fuyacukP;k eqnrhr] vkiY;kleksj vFkok dks.kR;kgh brj vf/kdkj;kleksj fnolkrqu ,d osG gtsjh yko.;kckcr funsZ’k nsÅ ‘kdsy- ;k fofu;e 83 e/;s rjrwn dsY;kizek.ks fuokZg HkRrk fdaok iw.kZ osru nsrk ;sbZy- 4 960-wp-4796-2024 ¼v½¼1½ deZpkj;koj dks.kR;kgh xSjorZ.kwdhP;k d`R;klkBh dkjokbZ djko;kph vlsy] v’kh dkjokbZ T;k vgokykoj vk/kkjhr vkgs] R;ke/khy oLrqfLFkrh ikgqu iqjkos vlY;kl f’kLrHkaxkph dkjokbZ dj.;kr ;sbZy- vgoky dkYifud ckchaoj vk/kkjhr vlsy vFkok rs Qdr vgoky dR;kaZps er vlsy] rj v’kk dkYifud ckchaoj vgoky lknjdR;kZaps er fopkjkr ?ks.;kr ;s.kkj ukgh- ¼c½ dks.kR;kgh xSjorZ.kwdhP;k d`R;kcn~ny T;k O;Drhfo#) dk;Zokgh dj.;kps ;ksftys vlsy fryk vkjksikph fdaok vkjksikaph ,d izr ¼vuqlqph bZ ¼1½ igk½ rlsp] T;koj pkSd’kh djko;kph vkgs v’kk R;kP;kfo#) dj.;kr vkysY;k vfHkdFku i=kph izr iqjfo.;kr ;sbZy- vfHkdFku i=k leosr deZpkj;kyk pkSd’khr T;koj folack;ps rh lk{khph fuosnus] iapukek bR;knh] lghr loZ nLr,sot iqjfork ;sbZy] vkjksihr deZpkj;kal gs nLr,sot tj dks.kR;kgh dkj.kklkBh iwjfork ;s.ks ‘kD; ulsy] rj rs u iwjfo.;kP;k dkj.kkaph uksan dj.;kr ;sbZy- ¼d½ vkjksfir deZpkj;kus R;kyk @ fryk vkjksii= feGY;kP;k rkj[ksiklqu ia/kjk fnolkaP;k vkr cpkokps ys[kh fuosnu nk[ky dj.ks] rlsp tkrhus cktq ekaM.;kph R;kph @ rhph bPNk vlY;kl rls dGfo.ks vko’;d jkghy- ¼M½ vkjksfir deZpkj;kus lknj dsysY;k dks.kR;kgh ys[kh fuosnuk [ksjht R;k O;Drhyk rksaMh fuosnu dj.;kph la/kh nsrk ;sbZy- ¼bZ½ lacaf/kr dkxni= ikg.;kph vkjksihr deZpkj;kph bPNk vlY;kl mi [kaM ¼c½ e/;s rjrqn dj.;kr vkysys vfHkdFku i= R;kyk @ fryk iwjfoY;kuarj] vkjksi fl) dj.;kP;k iz;kstuklkBh fopkjkr ?ks.;kr ;sr vlrhy fdaok T;koj folacqu jgko;kps vlsy vls dkxni=] pkSd’kh vf/kdj;kP;k LosPNk fu.kZ;kuwlkj R;kyk @ fryk nk[kfork ;sbZy- ¼Q½ dkj.ks nk[kok uksVh’khl mRrj feGsi;Zar l{ke izkf/kdkj;kauh varhe fu.kZ; ?ks.;kiwohZ vkjksihr deZpkj;kyk R;kP;k @ frP;k cpkokFkZ dks.krsgh nLr,sot pkSd’khP;k dks.kR;kgh VI;koj nk[ky dj.;kph ewHkk nsrk ;sbZy- vafre vkns’k ns.;kiwohZ dks.kR;kgh VI;koj nkgksaiSdh dks.kR;kgh i{kkus iwjohysyk dkxnksi=h vFkok vU; Lo#ikpk iwjkok pkSd’kh vf/kdkj;kl @ l{ke izkf/kdkj;kl nk[ky d#u ?ksrk ;sbZy- ¼x½ izdj.kijRos pkSd’kh dj.kkj;k l{ke izkf/kdkj;kus @ pkSd’kh vf/kdkj;kus ys[kh uksanoko;kph dkj.ks [ksjht d#u] depkj;kyk fdaok R;kP;k @ frP;k izdj.kh cpko dj.;klkBh [kkyhy [kaM 5 ¼vk;½ P;k vUo;s rjrwn dsY;kuwlkj R;kP;k @ frP;k izfrfu/khyk 5 960-wp-4796-2024 R;kP;k @ frP;k cpkokFkZ lk{khnkj dj.;kpk vkf.k T;kP;k iwjkO;koj vkjksi vk/kkjysyk vkgs] R;k lk{khnkjkaph myV rikl.kh ?ks.;kpk gDd jkghy v’kkizdkjs lknj dsysyk rksaMh iwjkok uksanfo.;kr ;sbZy- ¼g½ v’kk lk{khnkjkph lk{k baxzthr vFkok ejkBhr uksanfo.;kr ;sbZy- ,[kk|k lk{khnkjkph lk{k iq.kZ >kY;kuarj] rh R;kyk @ fryk letkowu lkax.;kr ;sbZy- vko’;d rj rh nw#Lr dj.;kr ;sbZy rsOgk] lk{khnkjkus R;k lk{khP;k dks.kR;kgh Hkkxkph vpwdrk ukdkjY;kl pkSd’kh vf/kdkj;kyk R;k lk{khr nw#Lrh dj.;k,soth] lk{khnkjkus R;k lk{khyk ?ksrysY;k vk{ksikps Vkp.k djrk ;sbZy o R;kl vko’;d okVsy vlk vfHkizk; nsrk ;sbZy] lk{k baxzthr ns.;kr vkyh vlsy o vkjksihr O;Drhyk rh Hkk”kk ifjfpr ulsy] rj rh lk{k R;kyk @ fryk ekfgr vlysY;k Hkk”ksr okpwu nk[kfo.;kr ;sbZy o letkowu lkax.;kr ;sbZy- vkjksihr deZpkj;kyk fuosnukP;k udyk fnY;k tkrhy- ¼vk;½ vkjksihr deZpkj;kyk R;kP;k @ frP;k cpkoklkBh enr dj.;kdjhrk ,[kk|k lgdkjh deZpkj;kaekQZr v’kkfjrhus vkiyh cktw ekaM.;kpk gDd jkghy- ijarw] dkexkjkP;k ckcrhr vkjksihr dkexkj vkf.k vkjksihr O;Drhph tsFks fu;wDrh dsyh vlsy R;kp ?kVd dk;kZy;krhy Eg.kts vkxkj @ Vk;j iwu%Lrj.k izdYi @ foHkkxh; dk;kZy; @ izkns’khd dk;kZy; @ e/;orhZ dk;kZy; @ e/;orhZ dk;Z’kkGk bR;knhe/khy R;kP;k @ frP;k ilarhP;k dks.kR;kgh dkexkjkaph lgdkjh deZpkjh Eg.kwu enr ?ksrk ;sbZy] ek= vlk lgdkjh deZpkjh dkexkj vlY;kps let.;kr ;s.kkj ukgh- fdaok rks T;k Jfed la?kkpk lHkkln vkgs] R;kP;k inkf/kdkj;kyk v’kk pkSd’khP;k osGh mifLFkr jkg.;kpk vf/kdkjh jkghy] vkf.k vlk dkexkj R;kP;k ilarhpk dkexkj fdaok Jfed la?kkpk izfruh/kh ;kauk v’kh pkSd’khP;k osGh izdj.kijRos R;kP;k @ frP;k izdj.kkr fdaok R;k dkexkj izdj.kkr izfrfu/khRo dj.;kpk gDd jkghy- ¼ojhy [kaM 5 ¼vk;½ e/khy dkexkj ;kpk vFkZ vkS|ksxhd lsok;kstuk ¼LFkk;h vkns’k½ vf/kfu;e] 1945 ;k [kkyh ;s.kkjk deZpkjh vlk gksrks ½ ¼t½¼1½ vkjksfir deZpkj;kafo#+) lk{k ns.;klkBh cksyfoysY;k lk{khnkjkapk [kpZ iz’kklu lks’khy o vkjksihr deZpkj;kaus fdaok frP;k lkax.;ko#u cksykoysY;k lk{khnkjkapk [kpZ vkjksfir O;Drh lks’khy- 6 960-wp-4796-2024 ijarq] tj vkjksfir deZpkj;kyk iw.kZi.ks funksZ”k Bjfoys o l{ke izkf/kdkj;kus r’kh f’kQkjl dsyh rj] vkjksfir deZpkj;kus vFkok frP;k lkax.;ko#u cksykfoysY;k lk{khnkjkaeqGs >kysyk [kpZ iw.kZr% fdaok va’kr% iz’kklu lks’khy- ¼t½¼2½ l{ke izkf/kdkjh @ pkSd’kh vf/kdjh lkekU;r% rhuis{kk vf/kd osGk Lfkfxrh eatwj dj.kkj ukgh- R;kis{kk Lfkfxr l{ke izkf/kdkj;kP;k @ pkSd’kh vf/kdkj;kaP;k iw.kZ LosPNk fu.kZ;kuqlkj eatqj djrk ;srhy- ¼d½ pkSd’kh iw.kZ d#u vkf.k vkjksihr O;Drhph bPNk vlY;kl fryk ys[kh fdaok rksaMh fuosnu dj.;kph vk.k[kh la/kh fnY;kuarj pkSd’kh vf/kdkjh v’kk vkjksiklacaf/k vkiys fu”d”kZ o v’kk fu”d”kkZph dkj.ks ueqn djhy o vihy ;ksX; v’kk f’k{kk izLrkfor vlrhy rsOgk dkj.ks nk[kok uksVhl nsr vlrkuk l{ke izkf/kdkjh pkSd’kh fu’d”kkZph izr djkjnkjkl nsbZy- ¼y½ l{ke izkf/kdkjh R;kaP;k Lor%P;k fu”d”kkZP;k vk/kkjs] fdaok [kaM 18 vUo;s rjrqn dsY;kizek.ks dks.krkgh pkSd’kh vf/kdkjh fu;qDr dsysyk vlY;kl R;kP;k fu”d”kkZP;k vk/kkjs] R;kl ;ksX; okVsy vls vkns’k nsbZy- ijarw] l{ke izkf/kdkj;kauh f’kLr o vfiy dk;Zi+)rhP;k [kaM 7 ¼v½ rs ¼x½ ;sFks uewn dsysyh vfiyk;ksX; v’kh dks.krhgh f’k{kk ykn.kkjk vafre vkns’k ns.;kiwohZ lacaf/kr O;Drhl] izdj.kijRos] l{ke izkf/kdkj;kaP;k fu”d”kkZph fdaok pkSd’kh vf/kdkj;kaP;k fu”d”kkZph ,d izr iwjfo.;kr ;sbZy- vkjksihr deZpkj;kus R;kyk @ fryk dkj.ks nk[kok uksVhl feGkY;kP;k rkj[ksiklqu 7 fnolkaP;k vkr ys[kh mRrj ns.ks vko’;d jkghy- vk.k[kh vls dh] ,[kknk ljdkjh [kkR;kr /kkj.kkf/kdkj vlysY;k egkeaMGkdMs izfrfu;qDrhoj vlysY;k ljdkjh depkj;kfo#) f’kLrHkaxkph dkjokbZ dj.;kps ;ksftys vlsy] rsOgk v’kk depkj;kfo#) eqacbZ ukxjh lsok fu;e ;k vUo;s leqfpr dkjokbZ dj.;klkBh R;kyk R;kP;k ewG [kkR;kdMs izR;kofrZr dj.;kr ;sbZy- ¼e½ jkT; ifjogu deZpkj;koj f’k{kk ykn.kkjk izR;sd vkns’k R;kyk ys[kh dGfo.;kr ;sbZy- 6- iq<hy izdj.kh [kaM 5 e/;s ?kkyqu fnysyh dk;Zi)rh vuwlj.;kph vko’;drk vl.kkj ukgh o R;klaca/kh rjrwnhaiSdh dks.krhgh fdaok loZ rjrwnh lksMwu nsrk ;srhy- 7 960-wp-4796-2024 ¼1½ vkjksihr O;Drh vkjksi dcwy djhr vlsy rsOgk vkf.k izdj.kkrhy rF;koj f’k{kk vk/kkjhr vlsy rsOgk- ¼2½ T;kewGs vkjksihr O;Drh QkStnkjh U;k;ky;kr nks”kh Bjysyh vlsy] R;k rF;koj f’k{kk vk/kkjhr vlsy rsOgk- ¼3½ vkjksihr O;Drh Qjkjh >kysyh vlsy rsOgk fdaok brj dkj.kkLro frP;k’kh i=O;ogkj dj.ks vO;ogk;Z vlsy rsOgk- ¼4½ iq<hy izdj.kh [kaM e/;s rjrqn dsY;kizek.ks l{ke izkf/kdkj;kl laf{kIr dk;Zokgh djrk ;sbZy- ¼v½ dks.krsgh xSjorZuwdhps d`R; vlrkuk fdaok djhr vlrkuk dks.kR;kgh deZpkj;kl izR;{k idMys vlsy v’kk ckcrhr- ¼c½ xSjorZ.kwdhpk m?kM iwjkok vlsy] v’kk ckcrhr- ¼d½ xSjorZ.kwd vR;ar xaHkhj Lo#ikph fdaok [kk=h iVfo.kkjh vlwu usgehph dk;Zi)rh vko’;d okVr ulsy] v’kk ckcrhr- 10. The sole contention of the petitioner is that the respondent’s case is covered by clause no.6(1) and hence the M.S.R.T.C. was justified in not conducting any departmental inquiry. Looking to the clause no.6(1) of the Rules, it is admitted fact that the respondent has not and never accepted the guilt alleged by the M.S.R.T.C. Secondly, so far as truthfulness of the offence is concerned, Mr. Shinde, learned Counsel for the M.S.R.T.C. would fairly argue that the action was taken on the basis of the news items flashed on the television as also publication of newspapers. It is a matter of fact that no independent inquiry about confirmation of the truthfulness of the news items was conducted by the M.S.R.T.C. As such, in any case, the M.S.R.T.C. was not justified in dismissing the petitioner by taking recourse to Rule 6(1) of the Discipline and Appeal Rules. 8 960-wp-4796-2024 11. Mr. Shinde, learned Counsel for the petitioner/ M.S.R.T.C. would raised specific objection as to the grant of 50% back wages as was ordered by the Labour Court and confirmed by the Industrial Court. 12. As far as the objection raised by learned Counsel for the petitioner regarding back wages, no convincing material is placed on record to hold that the finding of the Labour Court and Industrial Court are erroneous on that point. 13. I do not find any infirmity in the order passed by the Labour Court as also the Industrial Court. The petitioner/ M.S.R.T.C. has failed to show any perversity in the judgments. On the other hand, both the Labour Court and Industrial Court have correctly appreciated the facts of the case comparing the same with the Discipline and Appeal Rules of the M.S.R.T.C. Consequently, the Writ Petition fails and accordingly stands dismissed. 14. It appears that the order or the Labour Court directing the M.S.R.T.C. to reinstate the respondent is of the year 2021. For no reasons and without there being any preventive order, the petitioner/M.S.R.T.C. has not even reinstated the respondent. This is a matter of serious concern and in fact a contemptuous act of the responsible officers of the M.S.R.T.C. I am of the considered and definite view that a decision rendered by a Court does not form ‘justice’ in its true meaning unless it is executed and implemented. A decree on paper is of no use. The authority on whom liability of decree/order of 9 960-wp-4796-2024 Court is casted, if fail to obey it timely, need to be dealt seriously. Those authorities are answerable to this Court. 15. The petitioner/ M.S.R.T.C. without any default shall reinstate the petitioner within a period of four weeks from today and shall clear payable back wages in terms of the orders passed by the Labour Court and the Industrial Court within two weeks from today. Default in following these directions shall have serious consequences. 16. Rule stands discharged. 17. Place this matter on 22.04.2026 for confirmation of compliance by the petitioner. ( AJIT B. KADETHANKAR, J. ) Rushikesh/2026</div>