HC notice to BJP on Ranger's transfer

Jabalpur, Sep 13 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh High Court has issued notice to the BJP and the state government on the appeal of a Forest Ranger, who was transferred to a remote naxal-hit area on refusing to give Rs 10,000 as donation for the ruling party's programme.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Anang Kumar Patnaik and Justice Sushma Shrivastav also issued notice yesterday to BJP MLA Jai Prakash Jain, while directing the government to keep vacant the Ranger's post at Baihar in Balaghat district till October 15.

The notices were issued on the appeal by Ranger K S Barkade.

Petitioner's lawyer Khalid Noor Fakhruddin told the court that Mr Barkade, who was posted at Baihar for 11 months, was ''unlawfully'' transferred after he refused to part with Rs 10,000, as demanded by Mr Jain, for BJP's training camp at Baihar on May 28 and 29 this year.

When Mr Jain along with his five supporters had raised the demand on May 19, Mr Barkade had expressed his inability to pay donation as it was beyond his income level. Subsequently, Mr Barkade was transferred to the naxal-hit area, the lawyer said.

The Ranger filed the appeal after a single-judge bench rejected on August 22 his petition challenging the transfer.

UNI