JUDGMENT
Shah, J.
1. The petitioner was an employee of Respondents No. 2 Central Institute of Road Transport (Training & Research) (for short “CIRT”). The respondent No. 2 is a branch of respondent No. 1 viz. Association of the State Road Transport Undertaking. The petitioner joined the services of CIRT on 30th October, 1972. Later on the petitioner was appointed as Officer on Special Duty with effect from 1st October, 1984. By an order dated 2nd December, 1985, the Chairman, Governing Council, CIRT directed departmental inquiry against the petitioner on the ground of misconduct. During the inquiry, the petitioner was placed under suspension. The Inquiry Officer found the petitioner guilty of the charges levelled against him. Pursuant to the report of the Inquiry Officer, the Chairman, Governing Council, CIRT imposed penalty of removal from service. The petitioner preferred an appeal before the President, Association of State Road Transport Undertaking and Secretary to the Government of India. Appeal was dismissed by the appellate authority. Being aggrieved, the petitioner has filed the present petition under Article 226 of the Constitution.
2. Ms. Ghone, the learned counsel for Respondent Nos. 2 to 4 raised a preliminary objection to the maintainability of the petition by submitting that respondent No. 1 is not a State within the meaning of Article 12 of the Constitution. She relied upon unreported decision of the Division Bench of this Court in the case of Dr. Gandikota Venkata Ramanaiah v. The Association of the State Road Transport Undertaking & Ors. (in Writ Petition No. 3834 of 1986) decided on 25th November, 1992. On perusal of the Judgment, it is seen that the Division Bench has held that respondent No. 1 is not rendering an important public service being the obligatory function of the ‘State’, and, therefore, it is not a state within the meaning of Article 12 of the Constitution. It is, therefore, not possible for us to entertain to petition filed by the present petitioner under Article 226 of the Constitution. Accordingly, petition is dismissed as not maintainable in law. This is without prejudice to the rights and contentions of the petitioners to adopt any other proceedings in accordance with law. No order as to costs.