JUDGMENT Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari, J The present Original Petition, filed under Article 227 of the Constitution of India, challenges the interim order dated 12.11.2025 passed in M.A. No. 180/00987/2025 in O.A. No. 180/00472/2025 by the Central Administrative Tribunal, Ernakulam Bench, whereby the application seeking to vacate the interim order granted on 10.10.2025 was allowed.

2. The petitioner is a Postman working at the Malayinkeezhu Sub-Post Office in the Thiruvananthapuram Sub-Division of the Department of Posts. He has only two years left before his retirement. By Annexure A1 order, the petitioner has been transferred from the Malayinkeezhu Sub-Post Office to the Mancaud Post Office, Thiruvananthapuram.

2.1 Aggrieved by the transfer order, the petitioner filed the Original Application before the Central Administrative Tribunal, relying on precedents holding that transfers cannot be punitive in nature. The grounds raised included that the transfer order is punitive, as it was issued following a preliminary enquiry into certain allegations. The petitioner contended that the transfer order had been issued in lieu of punishment.

2.2 When the matter came up for admission and con