( 1. ) THE petitioner who is a Circle Inspector in the Railway Protection Force by this petition under Article 226 of the Constitution challenges an order of transfer passed by the Inspector General on 3rd June 1971 by which the petitioner was transferred from Central Railway to Western Railway.

( 2. ) THE impugned order of transfer is expressed to be made under Regulation 14 of the Railway Protection Force Regulations, 1966 which reads as follows:

"14. General.- Although the Railway Protection Force has been organised on all india basis, the members of the Force shall be ordinarily employed throughout service on the Railway or Railway Establishment to which they are posted on first appointment and shall have no claims, as of right, for transfer to another Railway or Railway Establishment. In the interest of administration, it shall, however, be open to the Inspector-General to transfer the members of the Force from one railway to another. "

The Regulations were framed and issued by the Inspector General with the approval of the Central Government in exercise of the power conferred on that behalf by Rule 32 of the Railway Protection Force Rules, 1959. Rule 32 is as under.

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