(1.) This writ petition filed by the applicant No. 1 before the Andhra Pradesh Administrative Tribunal at Hyderabad is directed against the order dated 16-02-2001 made in O.A.Nos. 8707 of 2000 and 694 of 2001 dismissing the original applications filed by the petitioner and another in which the validity and legality of the proceedings of the 1st respondent herein dated 23-12-2000 transferring the petitioner from the Roddam Police Station to Puttaparthy was assailed.
(2.) Before the learned Tribunal while assailing the validity of the impugned transfer order dated 23-12-2000, it was contended by the applicants that they did not complete five years period at Roddam Police Station and in ordinary course, they could be transferred only after completion of five years; the transfer was effected during the middle of the academic year and that caused lot of hardship to them and their family members; the transfer was effected to accommodate the police constables attached to security wing at Puttaparthy who went on mass sick leave to protest against the alleged harassment by the concerned Deputy Superintendent of Police.
(3.) The respondents filed counter-affidavit in which they contended that the applicants are accustomed to heavy drinking and therefore they are creating problems now and then and that the concerned Sub-Inspector, Circle Inspector and Sub-Divisional Police Officer have recommended for the transfer of the applicants and the transfer was effected only on administrative grounds. As regards the petitioner herein, it is stated in the counter-affidavit thus: