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2026 Supreme(Online)(Raj) 12941
HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE FOR RAJASTHAN BENCH AT JAIPUR
Ravi Chirania, J
BANAI SINGH MEENA S/O SHRI BODYA RAM MEENA – Appellant
Versus
RAJASTHAN RAJYA VIDYUT PRASARAN NIGAM LIMITED – Respondent
S.B. Civil Writ Petition No. 7484/2026
For the Appellants/Petitioners: Vinod Kumar Sharma
For the Respondents: Rahul Lodha
Transfer orders issued due to administrative exigencies, specifically to ensure the continuous supply of electricity and functioning of power houses in critical border areas, are legally valid and not subject to judicial interference.
Headnote:(A) Transfer of Employees - Administrative Exigencies - Transfers made to ensure the functioning of critical infrastructure, such as power houses in border areas, are valid and not illegal when necessitated by administrative requirements. (Para 8, 9)
(B) Judicial Review of Transfers - Administrative Discretion - Courts will not interfere with transfer orders issued for genuine administrative needs and public interest, particularly where the continuous supply of essential services like electricity is at stake. (Para 8)
Issues: Whether the transfer order issued on administrative grounds to ensure power supply in border areas was illegal and justified for interference by the Court.
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. challenge to transfer order based on alleged unfair accommodation of another employee. (Para 1 , 2) |
| 2. balance between employee grievances and administrative necessity for critical public services. (Para 3 , 4 , 5) |
| 3. validity of transfers made for critical infrastructure maintenance and administrative exigencies. (Para 6 , 7 , 8) |
| 4. dismissal of petition where no illegality is found in administrative transfers. (Para 9 , 10 , 11) |
Order
1. The petitioner has approached this Court by way of filing the present writ petition, challenging the action of the respondents on account of the grievance that transfer order dated 13.04.2026 and reliving order dated 17.04.2026 by which he has been transferred from Baroli -Sawaimadhopur to Badisid Phalodi.
2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner was transferred from Gangapur City Sawaimadhpur to Baroli Sawaimadhopur vide order dated 15.01.2025. Learned counsel further submits that vide transfer order dated 24.03.2026, 46 candidates were transferred whereby, two persons namely, Nirbhay Singh Gurjar and Pramod Kumar Meena (respondent No.4), have been transferred vice versa from Gangapur City Sawaimadhopur to Badisid.
2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the name of the petitioner was not there in the order dated 24.03.2026, however, by a subsequent order dated 13.04.2026, the respondents accommodated Pramod Kumar Meena and the petitioner was transferred in his place by way of impugned order. It is further submitted that the petitioner has been relieved vide order dated 17.04.2026. Therefore, it is prayed that, as the action is illegal, unjustified and bad in law, the impugned order may be stayed.
3. Learned counsel has also placed reliance on orders passed by this Court in similar matters including S.B. Civil Writ Petition No.7062/2025 titled as ' Surjeet Singh Vs. State of Rajasthan and Ors. ' decided on 16.04.2025 and S.B. Civil Writ Petition No.5847/2026 titled as Manoj Kumar Sharma Vs. Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited and Ors. decided on 01.04.2026, wherein this Court stayed the orders of transfer made in the name of working arrangement. In view of the above, learned counsel prayed that the petitioner may be granted similar relief.
4. On caveat, Mr. Rahul Lodha, learned counsel appearing on behalf of respondents, strongly opposed the submissions made by learned counsel for the petitioner. He informed this Court that due to 'Operation Sindoor', the Department made certain working arrangements in border areas in order to ensure the functioning of power houses and other machinery. It was further submitted that certain employees had been working there for almost a year and, thereafter approached the Principal Seat of Rajasthan High Court at Jodhpur seeking transfer back to their original places of posting. The High Court at Principal Seat, Jodhpur, considered the grievance and directed the respondents to consider their representation.
5. It is submitted that the respondents, upon consideration of such representations on a case to case basis and after examining the respective grievances, effected transfers accordingly. It is further contended that there is a shortage of personnel in the Jodhpur Circle to run the power plants and machinery, and therefore, the respondents had no option but to make administrative adjustments to ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity. In view of the above, it is prayed that no interference be made in the given facts and circumstances.
6. Heard learned counsel for the parties.
7. This Court, while passing the order in the case of Manoj Kumar Sharma (supra), had stayed the transfer order issued in the name of working arrangement. However, at that time, the reasons for such transfers, including the shortage of manpower in power houses in border areas, were not brought to the notice of this Court.
8. This Court is also conscious of
