- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:31353 WP No. 10991 of 2020 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 24TH DAY OF JUNE, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE JYOTI M WRIT PETITION NO. 10991 OF 2020 (L-KSRTC) BETWEEN: SRI. B.V.SRIDHAR, AGED ABOUT 59 YEARS, SON OF SRI B.V.RAMANUJAM RETIRED DRIVER, BADGE NO.12379, MYSORE R/AT NO.230, 6TH MAIN, GOKULAM, 3RD STAGE, MYSORE-23. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. NAIK V.S., ADVOCATE) AND: THE DIVISIONAL CONTROLLER, K.S.R.T.C., MYSORE URBAN DIVISION MYSORE 570001. …RESPONDENT (BY SMT. S.NIRMMALA, ADVOCATE) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, SEEKING CERTAIN RELIEFS. THIS WRIT PETITION IS LISTED FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING IN 'B' GROUP, THIS DAY, AN ORDER IS MADE AS UNDER: Digitally signed by PREMCHANDRA M R Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:31353 WP No. 10991 of 2020 ORAL ORDER Sri.V.S.Naik., counsel for the petitioner has appeared in person. Smt.S.Nirmmala., counsel for the respondent has appeared through video conferencing. 2. The short facts are these: The petitioner was working as a Driver in the establishment of the Corporation. He came under a disciplinary proceedings for an act of misconduct and issued with an Article of Charge. The disciplinary authority appointed an inquiry officer. The inquiry officer conducted a detailed inquiry and submitted findings holding that the charges are proved, and the petitioner was visited with an order of punishment by reducing pay by four incremental stages with cumulative effect and to treat the period of suspension as not spent on duty on 29.09.2012. Aggrieved by the same, the petitioner filed an appeal before the Appellate Authority and the same came to be rejected. Upon failure of conciliation the Government referred - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:31353 WP No. 10991 of 2020 the dispute to the Industrial Tribunal Mysore, and the dispute was registered in Ref.No.184/2014. The Tribunal held that the domestic inquiry conducted by the Corporation was not fair and proper. The parties led evidence. The Tribunal vide award dated 15.03.2018 rejected the claim application. Under these circumstances, this writ petition is filed on several grounds as set out in the Memorandum of Writ Petition. 3. Counsel for the respective parties urged several contentions. Heard the arguments and perused the papers with care. 4. The point that requires consideration is whether the award of the Tribunal requires interference. 5. The facts are adequately stated and do not need repetition. The issue involved in the present petition lies within a narrow compass and pertains to the misconduct alleged against the petitioner, namely, causing an accident while discharging his duties as a driver. It is undisputed that the petitioner was - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:31353 WP No. 10991 of 2020 driving the bus on the Siddaramanahundi–City Bus Stand, Mysore route when the bus struck two lady pedestrians. The petitioner contended that the accident occurred due to a mechanical defect in the bus. However, no material was placed on record to substantiate the said contention. The Tribunal, upon an elaborate consideration of the evidence and other material available on record, rightly concluded that the petitioner had failed to exercise due care and caution while driving the bus and was negligent in the discharge of his duties. Consequently, the reference came to be rejected. It is well settled that a driver operating a public transport vehicle is expected to exercise a high degree of care and caution to ensure the safety of passengers and other road users. In the facts and circumstances of the case, this Court is of the considered view that the award passed by the Tribunal is just, proper, and does not warrant interference in exercise of writ jurisdiction. 6. Accordingly, the writ petition is dismissed. Because of the dismissal of the Writ Petition, pending - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:31353 WP No. 10991 of 2020 interlocutory applications, if any, are disposed of, and interim relief, if any, stands discharged. SD/- (JYOTI M) JUDGE MRP List No.: 1 Sl No.: 40