Dismissing an appeal preferred by a Headmistress against her transfer, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court observed that place or post can never be a choice of an employee.
An employee is expected to work wherever he or she is posted in the interest of the public. In the present case, it was in the interest of students, the court observed.
The court was hearing the appeal preferred by G. Rajeshwari of Madurai against a Single Bench order. The Joint Director of School Education (Higher Secondary) transferred her from Madurai district to Virudhunagar district in July on administrative grounds.
The appellant said the transfer order was punitive in nature.
A Division Bench of Justices S.M. Subramaniam and G. Arul Murugan observed that teachers and headmasters are getting decent salaries from the taxpayers’ money. Teaching is a noble profession and the future of the children is in the hands of teachers. They are expected to perform their duties in a dedicated manner and mere transfer would not affect the conditions of service.
In the present case, the appellant was transferred to an adjacent district. Interference of the High Court in routine administrative matters would cause prejudice to the interest of an effective administration.
This exactly is the reason why the constitutional courts have time and again reiterated that writ petitions against transfers cannot be entertained by the High Court in a routine manner, the court observed and dismissed the appeal.
Published – September 02, 2025 08:20 pm IST
