The absence of notice and justification in a transfer order violates legal guidelines and family welfare considerations.

J U D G M E N T

Dated this the 6^th day of February, 2026 The petitioner is now working as an Assistant at the Thrissur Depot of the KSRTC on transfer from Pathanapuram Depot in Kollam District. She is a native of Kollam District and her Home Unit is Kottarakara. She is aggrieved by her transfer to a far away station at Thrissur, made in gross violation of the transfer guidelines in Ext.P1 Memorandum.

2. The petitioner is a widow residing at Pathanapuram in Kollam District, with her father, aged more than 76 years. Her father is suffering from paralysis and also has lung cancer. He is undergoing treatment at the Medical College Hospital, Kottayam, as evident from Exts.P3 and P4 treatment records.

3. As the mother of the petitioner is also aged and the husband of the petitioner being no more, there is no other member in her family to look after the affairs of her father. In such a situation, the petitioner's presence in her Home District has become absolutely necessary. The petitioner, therefore, sent Ext.P5 representation requesting for a transfer from the present Unit, Thrissur, to any of the Units near her Home Station. The 4^th respondent duly recommended and forwarded Ext.P5 representation to the 3^rd respondent for necessary action, by Ext.P6 letter. Now, Ext.P5 representation for transfer is pending with the 1^st respondent.

4. There is no disciplinary case or any report against the petitioner warranting her transfer from Pathanapuram Depot to Thrissur. The transfer was also not on administrative grounds. No notice was also issued to the petitioner before her transfer. The petitioner also did not request for transfer from Pathanapuram Unit, where she had been working only for a period of one year.

5. If the transfer was made for adjustment of the sanctioned strength of Pathanapuram Depot, there are many seniors and juniors to the petitioner, who are to be transferred out, as per the guidelines on transfer. No grounds or reason is stated in Ext.P1 order of transfer. The petitioner was arbitrarily transferred to Thrissur Unit from Pathanapuram Depot, in gross violation of Ext.P2 guidelines of transfer, contends the petitioner.

6. The petitioner earlier filed WP(C) No.2387/2026 seeking the very same relief. But, upon the submission of the counsel for the petitioner regarding the material error occurred in the writ petition, this Court dismissed the writ petition grating liberty to file a fresh writ petition, by Ext.P7 judgment.

7. The petitioner seeks for a direction to the

1^st respondent to consider and take appropriate decision on Ext.P5 representation of the petitioner for transfer, with notice to her.

8. I have heard the learned Counsel for the petitioner and the learned Standing Counsel representing the respondents.

9. The petitioner stands transferred as per Ext.P1 from Pathanapuram to Thrissur. The grievance of the petitioner is that the petitioner was not given any notice. No reason or administrative exigencies are stated in Ext.P1 order. It is submitted that the petitioner's father is 76 year old and is undergoing treatment for Paralysis and Cancer and the petitioner's retention at Pathanapuram or nearby area is highly necessary on medical grounds.

10. Be that as it may, pointing out the grievances, the petitioner has preferred Ext.P5 representation before the Chairman and Managing Director, KSRTC. In the facts of the case, I am of the view that the 1^st respondent should consider Ext.P5 sympathetically and take appropriate decision in accordance with law.

The writ petition is disposed of directing the 1^st respondent to consider Ext.P5 representation submitted by the petitioner and pass appropriate orders thereon in accordance with law within a period of six weeks.

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