The petitioner was employed as a conductor in APSRTC in the year 1990. He was working in the Jeedimetla Depot in the year 1998. On 12.10.1998,, while he was conducting the service between Patancheru and Jeedimetla on route No.223J/A, a check was conducted at stage No.16. Two allegations were made against the petitioner, viz.,a)that one passenger, who boarded at stage No.18 and scheduled to travel up to stage No.16 paid fare of Rs.2.25 ps., but the petitioner did not issue ticket, and b) that four passengers boarded at stage No.17 for travelling up to stage No.15 and though they paid fare of Rs.9.00 (Rs.2.25 ps. each), the petitioner did not issue tickets.

2. A charge sheet was issued on 16.10.1998. Petitioner submitted explanation stating that the passenger, who is referred to in charge No.1, did not pay the fare and on the other hand, he claimed that he holds a bus pass. He stated that when the discussion as to production of the pass was going on, the bus reached stage No.17, where four passengers boarded and paid fare. According to him, when he was about to issue tickets for the four passengers mentioned in charge No.2, the passenger mentioned in charge No.1 was trying