IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA CONSTITUTIONAL WRIT JURISDICTION APPELLATE SIDE PRESENT:

THE HON’BLE ANANYA BANDYOBADHYAY WPA 12007 of 2015 Prabir Chakraborty -Vs-

State of West Bengal & Ors.

For the Petitioner : Mr. Mrityunjoy Chatterjee Mr. Manas Das For the Respondents : Mr. Ayan Banerjee Ms. Debasree Dhamali Ms. Riya Ghosh Heard On : 19.08.2024, 29.11.2024, 12.02.2025, 17.06.2025 Judgment on : 24.10.2025 Ananya Bandyopadhyay, J.:-

1. The petitioner, a Conductor under the employment of the South Bengal State Transport Corporation (SBSTC), was subjected to disciplinary action on allegations which, upon close scrutiny, revealed procedural improprieties and disproportionality in the quantum of punishment imposed.

2. The controversy generated out of an incident dated 27th July, 2010, when the petitioner, while performing his duties as a Conductor in Vehicle No. WB39-0913 plying on the Kolkata–Siliguri (Up) route, was subjected to a routine inspection by the checking squad attached to the respondent authorities. During such inspection at Siliguri, three passengers were allegedly found travelling without valid tickets. The checking squad forthwith realised the requisite fare along with the