DTC spent Rs 47K in case against conductor for loss of 5 paisa

DTC has spent Rs 47,795 in pursuing litigation against a former conductor for allegedly charging 5 paise less for a ticket 41 years ago, the state-run public transporter today told the Delhi High Court.
The submission was made before Justice Hima Kohli in response to the court's query regarding the amount of money that Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) spent in pursuing the matter since February 1982.
Singh, in 1973, had allegedly charged a woman passenger 10 paise for a 15 paise ticket and the incident came to light when a flying squad of ticket-checkers boarded the bus.
The flying squad of DTC had decided that he had cheated the Corporation and had been negligent and thereafter, a departmental inquiry was conducted and he was found guilty of causing a loss of 5 paise to the public exchequer.

His dismissal from service was ordered on July 15, 1976 on the grounds that he was a repeat offender and Singh had challenged the same before a labour court.
The labour court in 1990 had ruled in his favour and had directed DTC to reinstate him with full wages.

DTC, thereafter, challenged the labour court verdict in the high court which in 2008 dismissed the corporation's plea.
DTC again moved the high court through the present review petition, contending that an employee who cheated the government can't be allowed to go scot-free.
The transport corporation has also opposed Singh's demand for back wages.

DTC has alleged that Singh had allowed ticketless travel to several passengers.
The high court had also sought information regarding the dues payable and already paid to the former DTC conductor Ranbir Singh.
In response to this, DTC has submitted that it has paid over Rs 1.5 lakh of the total amount of about Rs four lakh, which was payable to Singh as salary, gratuity, pension, pay fixation etc. Since his dismissal from service in 1976 till his retirement on September 30, 2002.
DTC also told the court that Rs 2.72 lakh remains to be paid to him.
Meanwhile, the counsel for Singh sought time from the court to peruse the affidavit filed by DTC, which was allowed by the court.

The court has now fixed the matter for further hearing on January 19.