K'taka HC unhappy over political interference in transfers

Bangalore, June 28 (UNI) The Karnataka High Court today came down heavily on politicians for interfering with the transfer of officials and said it would not be in public interest.

The Bench, comprising Mr Justice R Gururajan and Mr Justice Jawaid Rahim, dismissed a petition filed by C Channe Gowda, Revenue Inspector Sarakki Circle, challenging the order of the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal (KAT), which had dismissed his application challenging an order directing the Deputy commissioner the plea of one Sreeramamurthy, also a revenue inspector on transfer.

The court, after perusing the files regarding the dispute between the two employees, noted that the Education Minister, Revenue Minister and MLA had all sent notes to post the petitioner to the place of his choice (Sarakki Circle) as he had some family problem.

In the course of dismissing the petition, the Bench observed that time and again, courts had impressed upon authorities that transfers and postings had to be done for public interest and not for any other consideration.

The court was sorry to note that several ministers had chosen to recommend the authorities concerned to provide the petitioner the place of his choice. The posting of the petitioner was done only on political consideration and not for any public purpose, it added.

UNI XR RG PK VV2115