Holding that frequent transfers should be avoided, the Madras High Court has set aside the transfer of a Railway Police Sub-Inspector for the third time in eight months.
Allowing an appeal by the SI, a Madurai bench of the high court comprising Justices S Manikumar and G Chockalingam said there seemed to be some ulterior motive in his transfer, because another policeman facing the same charge had been retained and allowed to work here permanently.
Ariyanayakam of Kovilpatti in Tirunelveli district had challenged a single judge's order dismissing his petition against the transfer order. The single judge had held that the transfer had been done for administrative reasons, and several others had been transferred along with him.
During the hearing of the appeal, Railway officials had contended that a complaint (of violation of service rules) was received against the petitioner and as it was found to be true, he was transferred.
But they could not reply to the court's poser as to why the other person who was also facing the same charge, had been retained.
Setting aside the order of the single judge, the bench said there was reason in the argument of the appellant that he had been transferred frequently in eight months.
Frequent transfers should be avoided, it added.
