A.L. RADHAKRISHNAN Vs. THE CHENNAI METROPOLITAN WATER SUPPLY AND SEWERAGE BOARD, REP. BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR, CHENNAI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioner has challenged the validity of the order of transfer passed by the respondent in this writ petition.

(2.) THE respondent, Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (hereinafter referred as "the Board") has been constituted under the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board Act, 1978 (hereinafter referred as "the Act"). The petitioner joined the services under the respondent as an Assistant Engineer and has been subsequently promoted as Assistant Executive Engineer. The petitioner sought permission from the Board to register for Doctorate degree under Anna University and permission was granted and thereafter the petitioner has registered himself for the degree, duration of which is for a minimum period of 3 years. While the matter stood thus, the petitioner has been transferred by the respondent to Madurai by an order dated 15.11.2001. The aforesaid order of transfer is being challenged in the present writ petition.

(3.) A counter affidavit has been filed in support of the respondent. The contention of the petitioner to the effect that no person can be transferred beyond Chennai has been refuted. It has been further submitted that in the application seeking for permission, the petitioner himself had indicated that the course was for 4 to 6 months and moreover, he himself has given an undertaking that he shall not seek for transfer or cancellation of transfer for the purpose of pursuing his studies. It has been indicated that the petitioner has been transferred in the public interest to look after the work at Madurai which has been entrusted to the Board by the State Government.