In Brief
A bus conductor was charged with collecting fares without issuing tickets. The employer relied on statements from passengers recorded during a surprise TTI check. The Industrial Court exonerated the conductor from most charges (2-5) because the passengers were not produced for cross-examination, despite the conductor denying the allegations. The Court reduced his penalty from dismissal to stoppage of three increments. The Supreme Court upheld this decision, holding that where an employee denies charges, the absence of opportunity to cross-examine witness statements is fatal to the employer's case. The appeal was dismissed as the Industrial Court's reasoning was sound and the High Court's order contained no illegality.
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