The transfer of K Raghuram Reddy from Kurnool district to Hyderabad as deputy commissioner of South Zone was stayed for two days by Hyderabad bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) on Monday.
The bench was dealing with an application moved by the official during the lunch session challenging his transfer. He brought to the notice of the bench that he was given posting as police superintendent of Kurnool district only in July this year and was suddenly transferred again to the city on Sunday. He contended that he must be continued in the post for two years as per earlier Supreme Court directions.
Citing the apex court judgment in Prakash Singh case, Raghuram argued that police officers on operational duties in the field like the IGs, Deputy IGs, SPs and Station House Officers shall have a minimum tenure of two years unless it was found necessary to remove them prematurely following disciplinary proceedings against them, their conviction in a criminal offence, in a case of corruption or if the incumbent was otherwise incapacitated from discharging his responsibilities. The officer pointed out that he was transferred twice within four months and urged the bench to set aside his transfer orders.
Enquiring whether there are any political reasons for the transfer, the bench told the state government counsel to file an affidavit by citing reasons for the transfer within two days.