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Dr.Rajan K.R vs State Of Kerala
2025 Latest Caselaw 9319 Ker

Citation : 2025 Latest Caselaw 9319 Ker
Judgement Date : 6 October, 2025

Kerala High Court

Dr.Rajan K.R vs State Of Kerala on 6 October, 2025

Author: Anil K. Narendran
Bench: Anil K. Narendran
OP(KAT)Nos.384 & 385 of 2025
                                       1
2025:KER:72997


               IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

                                       PRESENT

            THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANIL K. NARENDRAN

                                           &

            THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE MURALEE KRISHNA S.

   MONDAY, THE 6TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2025 / 14TH ASWINA, 1947

                               OP(KAT) NO. 384 OF 2025

           AGAINST THE ORDER DATED 15.09.2025 IN O.A.(EKM) NO.842

OF 2025 OF KERALA ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL, ADDITIONAL BENCH,

ERNAKULAM

PETITIONER/APPLICANT:

                DR. VIDYA K.R
                AGED 54 YEARS
                W/O. DR. V.R.RAJENDRAN, DISTRICT MEDICAL OFFICER
                (HEALTH), PALAKKAD - 678 014 RESIDING AT 5C,
                BHADRADEEPAM APARTMENTS, DPO ROAD, PALAKKAD

                BY ADVS.
                SRI.P.NANDAKUMAR
                SMT.AMRUTHA SANJEEV
                SHRI.VIVEK VIJAYAKUMAR
                SMT.K.SARITHA


RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS IN OA:

       1        STATE OF KERALA
                REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT,
                DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE,
                GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM,
                PIN - 695001
 OP(KAT)Nos.384 & 385 of 2025
                                2
2025:KER:72997


       2        THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH SERVICES
                DIRECTORATE OF HEALTH SERVICES,
                GENERAL HOSPITAL JUNCTION,
                THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695035

       3        DR. ROSH T.V,
                DISTRICT PROGRAM MANAGER,
                NATIONAL HEALTH MISSION,
                PALAKKAD, PIN - 678004


               BY ADVS.
               SRI.B.RAGHUNATHAN
               SRI.M.SALIM
               SHRI.R.SRINATH
               SRI.K.JALADHARAN
               SRI.V.M.JACOB
               SRI. B. UNNIKRISHNA KAIMAL, SR. GP

        THIS OP KERALA ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL HAVING COME UP

FOR ADMISSION ON 18.09.2025, ALONG WITH OP(KAT).385/2025, THE

COURT ON 6.10.2025 PASSED THE FOLLOWING:
 OP(KAT)Nos.384 & 385 of 2025
                                       3
2025:KER:72997



               IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

                                       PRESENT

            THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANIL K. NARENDRAN

                                           &

           THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE MURALEE KRISHNA S.

   MONDAY, THE 6TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2025 / 14TH ASWINA, 1947

                               OP(KAT) NO. 385 OF 2025

          AGAINST THE ORDER DATED 15.09.2025 IN OA (EKM) NO.849

OF 2025 OF KERALA ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL, ADDITIONAL BENCH,

ERNAKULAM

PETITIONER/APPLICANT:

               DR.RAJAN K.R
               AGED 54 YEARS
               S/O.RAMAN, ADDITIONAL DISTRICT MEDICAL
               OFFICER/DEPUTY DIRECTOR, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HEALTH
               SERVICE,
               DISTRICT MEDICAL OFFICE(HEALTH) ERNAKULAM-682 011
               RESIDING AT VAISHNAVAM (H), MOORKKATTILPADY,
               KARIKODU P.O. PERUVA, KOTTAYAM, PIN - 686610


               BY ADVS.
               SMT.CHINNU MARIA ANTONY
               SMT.APARNA NARAYAN MENON
               SHRI.KALEESWARAM RAJ
               KUM.THULASI K. RAJ


RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS:

      1        STATE OF KERALA
 OP(KAT)Nos.384 & 385 of 2025
                                4
2025:KER:72997


               REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT,
               DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE SECRETARIAT,
               THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695001

      2        THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH SERVICES
               DIRECTORATE OF HEALTH SERVICES,
               GENERAL HOSPITAL JUNCTION,
               THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695035

      3        DR.VIDYA K.R
               DISTRICT MEDICAL OFFICER,
               DISTRICT MEDICAL OFFICE (HEALTH) PALAKKAD,
               PIN - 678001

      4        DR. ROSH P.T
               DISTRICT PROGRAMME MANAGER,
               NHM PALAKKAD OFFICE, THONDIKULAM,
               NURANI, PALAKKAD, PIN - 678004


               BY ADVS.
               SRI.B.RAGHUNATHAN
               SRI.M.SALIM
               SHRI.R.SRINATH
               SRI.K.JALADHARAN
               SRI.V.M.JACOB
               SRI.B. UNNIKRISHNA KAIMAL, SR.GP


          THIS OP KERALA ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL HAVING COME UP

FOR ADMISSION ON 18.09.2025, ALONG WITH OP(KAT).384/2025, THE

COURT ON 6.10.2025 DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
 OP(KAT)Nos.384 & 385 of 2025
                                      5
2025:KER:72997


                   COMMON JUDGMENT

Muralee Krishna, J.

The applicant in O.A.(EKM)No.842 of 2025 on the file of the

Kerala Administrative Tribunal, Additional Bench, Ernakulam (for

short 'the Tribunal'), filed OP(KAT)No.384 of 2025 and the

applicant in O.A.(EKM)No.849 of 2025 on the file of the very same

Tribunal filed OP(KAT)No.385 of 2025, invoking the supervisory

jurisdiction of this Court under Article 227 of the Constitution of

India, challenging the impugned common order dated 15.09.2025

passed by the Tribunal in those original applications. For

convenience, the parties and documents are referred in this

judgment as they are referred in OP(KAT)No.384 of 2025, unless

otherwise stated.

2. The petitioner in OP(KAT)No.384 of 2025 was

transferred to Palakkad as District Medical Officer (Health), vide

Annexure A1 order dated 17.11.2023, while she was working in

the cadre of Deputy Director, Directorate of Health Services,

Thiruvananthapuram. According to the petitioner, she is entitled

to continue at Palakkad for a period of three years. By Annexure

A2 order dated 24.02.2025, she was transferred and posted as OP(KAT)Nos.384 & 385 of 2025

2025:KER:72997

Additional District Medical Officer (Health), Ernakulam. The 3 rd

respondent, who was working as District Programme Manager at

National Health Mission, Palakkad, was promoted and posted in

the place of the petitioner as District Medical Officer (Health) at

Palakkad itself, consequent to the transfer of the petitioner to

Ernakulam. The petitioner contends that since she has not

completed three years in the present station, the 3 rd respondent,

who is a fresh promotee, is liable to be posted wherever there is

an open vacancy. Therefore, Annexure A2 order is illegal. By

Annexure A2 transfer order, the petitioner in OP(KAT)No.385 of

2025, who was working as Additional District Medical Officer

(Health), Ernakulam, has been transferred to Idukki as

Superintendent in the District Hospital, Idukki. Challenging the

transfer order, the petitioner in OP(KAT)No.385 of 2025 filed

O.A.(EKM)No.338 of 2025 before the Tribunal, and the petitioner

in OP(KAT)No.384 of 2025 filed O.A.(EKM)No.342 of 2025. The

Tribunal, by way of interim orders, stayed the transfer of the

petitioners in both the original applications. Thereafter, the

original applications were disposed of by a common order dated OP(KAT)Nos.384 & 385 of 2025

2025:KER:72997

18.03.2025 with a direction to the 1 st respondent to consider and

pass orders on the grievance of the petitioners. Consequently, the

petitioners were heard on 08.04.2025 on behalf of the 1 st

respondent and by Annexure A5 order dated 09.06.2025, their

contentions were rejected. In that circumstance, the petitioners

approached the Tribunal with the respective original applications

filed under Section 19 of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985.

3. In O.A.(EKM)No.842 of 2025, the 1st respondent filed a

reply statement dated 25.06.2025. It is contended by the 1 st

respondent that the General Transfer Guidelines contained in Para

7(ii) of G.O.(P) No.3/2017/P&ARD dated 25.02.2017 are strictly

applicable to transfers made by the Head of the Department and

authorities below the Head of the Department. The said order is

not applicable in the cases where the Government is the

appointing authority. The Deputy Director post is a higher post in

the Health Services Department, and when officers working in this

post are transferred for administrative convenience, it is not right

to raise arguments that they have not completed three years in

the present station. As per Rule 32(b) of Part II KS&SSR, the OP(KAT)Nos.384 & 385 of 2025

2025:KER:72997

power to appoint and transfer the Deputy Director is vested with

the Government, who is the appointing authority. The 1 st

respondent further contended that the 3 rd respondent has good

practical experience by working as District Programme Manager in

the National Health Mission, Palakkad. Considering the above

aspect, Annexure A5 order dated 09.06.2025 has been issued in

compliance with Annexure A4 order of the Tribunal, transferring

the petitioner in OP(KAT)No.385 of 2025 as Superintendent,

District Hospital, Idukki, and the petitioner in OP(KAT)No.384 of

2025 as Additional District Medical Officer, Ernakulam, and

appointing the 3rd respondent Assistant Director on deputation as

District Medical Officer, Palakkad. It is contended by the 1 st

respondent that the Apex Court, as well as this High Court, in

several judgments held that the transfer is an incident of service

coming under the domain of Government and that Government

servants did not have any right to claim retention in a station or

to choose the place of posting. It is contended by the 1 st

respondent that the person challenging the transfer ought to

prove on facts that such transfer is prejudicial to the public OP(KAT)Nos.384 & 385 of 2025

2025:KER:72997

interest. Interference is justified only in a case of malafide or

infraction of any professed norm or principle. Moreover, in cases

where the career prospects of a person challenging transfer

remain unaffected and no detriment is caused, interference with

the transfer must be eschewed. Evidence is required to prove such

a transfer as prejudicial, and in its absence, interference is not

warranted. Instead of joining the places where they are appointed,

the Medical Officers are trying to cancel the orders and thereby

hindering the smooth functioning of the health department, which

results in administrative difficulty in the Health Services

Department.

4. The 3rd respondent also filed a reply statement dated

17.07.2025 in O.A.(EKM)No.842 of 2025, contending that the

suitability of an officer to be posted in a particular post lies within

the realm of the discretion of the Government. The petitioner is

not to dictate terms in regard to the suitability and the station to

which the incumbent is to be posted. It is further contended by

the 3rd respondent that after the issuance of Annexure A6, the 3 rd

respondent had assumed charge as District Medical Officer OP(KAT)Nos.384 & 385 of 2025

2025:KER:72997

(Health), Palakkad, on 10.06.2025, as the petitioner did not

attend the office since 03.06.2025. He was handed over charge

by Deputy District Medical Officer (Health), Palakkad, who was

given the charge of District Medical Officer (Health), Palakkad.

Immediately after assuming charge, the 3 rd respondent had

informed the 2nd respondent as well as the Accountant General

with regard to the matter of assumption of charge as District

Medical Officer (Health), Palakkad. As per the reply statement of

the 3rd respondent, the guidelines governing the transfer exist

only for the sake of guidance and do not confer on the employee

any enforceable right. It is further contended by the 3 rd

respondent that there is no ground of malafides raised by the

petitioner in the original application which may make the transfer

a subject of challenge before a court of law. In the absence of such

a contention, there is no merit in the contentions raised by the

petitioner. Annexure A5 Government order was issued on the

basis of the direction issued by the Tribunal in Annexure A4 order,

after convincing that 3rd respondent was eligible to be posted as

District Medical Officer (Health), Palakkad, and only thereafter, OP(KAT)Nos.384 & 385 of 2025

2025:KER:72997

Annexure A6 order was issued.

5. To the reply statements filed by respondents 1 and 3,

the petitioner filed a rejoinder dated 21.07.2025 in the original

application. The 1st respondent filed an additional reply statement

dated 28.07.2025 in O.A.(EKM)No.842 of 2025 narrating the key

role of District Programme Manager, National Health Mission, the

post which was held by the 3 rd respondent.

6. In O.A.No.849 of 2025 also the 1st respondent filed a

reply statement dated 12.08.2025 raising almost the very same

contentions as those raised in O.A.(EKM)No.842 of 2025.

7. After hearing both sides and on appreciation of the

materials on record, the Tribunal, by the impugned order dated

15.09.2025, dismissed the original applications. Paragraphs 9 to

11 of that order read thus;

"9. The grounds urged for challenging the transfer in both these cases is violation of guidelines, as they have not completed three years in the respective stations. The further contention is that the untimely transfer is ordered to accommodate a fresh promotee. According to the 1st respondent the presence of Dr.Rosh, the fresh promotee at Palakkad would be much helpful for the administration of OP(KAT)Nos.384 & 385 of 2025

2025:KER:72997

health department and dealing with health issues in Palakkad District.

10. When Government categorically states that the administrative experience of Dr. Rosh is found necessary in Palakkad District, this Tribunal would not be in a position to substitute its decision, as transfer and posting of officers are entirely coming within the executive domain of the Government. But for the contention that the transfer is ordered to accommodate Dr. Rosh, there is no allegation of mala fides. No violation of any statutory rule is also alleged.

11. As held in a series of judgments relied on by the respondents, for e.g., S.K. Naushad Rahaman and others v. Union of India and others [(2022)12 SCC 11], N.K. Singh v. Union of India & others [(1994) 5 SCC 981], Rajendra Roy v. Union of India & others (AIR 1993 SC 1236], etc., transfer is an incidence of service. The applicants and 3 rd respondent are holding High level posts of District Head/equivalent posts in the Department. An employee does not have any right to insist for retention of posting in a particular station, just because he or she did not complete 3 years. In the absence of any allegation as to mala fides or violation of statutory rules interference of this Tribunal is not called for. The Original Applications are accordingly dismissed."

8. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners in the

original petitions, the learned Senior Government Pleader and the

learned counsel for the 3rd respondent.

OP(KAT)Nos.384 & 385 of 2025

2025:KER:72997

9. When the learned counsel for the petitioners raised a

contention that the transfer of the petitioners effected was

violating the transfer guidelines issued by the Government with

the sole intention to accommodate the 3 rd respondent at Palakkad,

the learned Senior Government Pleader as well the learned

counsel for the 3rd respondent raised a contention that there is no

malafides in the order of transfer and it is for administrative

convenience the order was issued.

10. It is trite that whether an employee is to be transferred

to a different division, etc, are matter for the employer to consider,

depending upon the administrative necessities. The power to

transfer an employee in a transferable service is within the

prerogative of the employer. It is the employer who knows best

where an employee should be deployed for an effective discharge

of his or her duties for the establishment. The inconveniences

caused to the employee and his family consequent to the transfer

are not sufficient to interfere with the orders of transfer.

Generally, the Court exercising writ jurisdiction under Article 226

of the Constitution of India would not interfere in the orders of OP(KAT)Nos.384 & 385 of 2025

2025:KER:72997

transfer of an employee issued by the employer, for administrative

reasons, as it will adversely affect the smooth functioning of that

institution. The circumstance under which the Court can interfere

with the orders of transfer is laid down by the Apex Court as well

as this Court in several judgments.

11. In Union of India v. S.L Abbas [(1993) 4 SCC 357]

the Apex Court held thus:

"Who should be transferred where, is a matter for the appropriate authority to decide. Unless the order of transfer is vitiated by mala fides or is made in violation of any statutory provisions, the court cannot interfere with it. While ordering the transfer, there is no doubt, the authority must keep in mind the guidelines issued by the Government on the subject. Similarly if a person makes any representation with respect to his transfer, the appropriate authority must consider the same having regard to the exigencies of administration." (emphasis supplied)

12. In National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Ltd

v. Shri Bhagwan [(2001) 8 SCC 574] the Apex Court held thus:

"It is by now well-settled and often reiterated by this Court that no Government servant or employee of public Undertaking has any legal right to be posted forever at any one particular place since transfer of a particular employee appointed to the class or category of transferable posts from OP(KAT)Nos.384 & 385 of 2025

2025:KER:72997

one place to other is not only an incident, but a condition of service, necessary too in public interest and efficiency in the public administration. Unless an order of transfer is shown to be an outcome of mala fide exercise of power or stated to be in violation of statutory provisions prohibiting any such transfer, the Courts or the Tribunals cannot interfere with such orders as a matter of routine, as though they are the Appellate Authorities substituting their own decision for that of the Management, as against such orders passed in the interest of administrative exigencies of the service concerned." (emphasis supplied)

13. In Pubi Lombi v. State of Arunachal Pradesh and

others [2024 SCC Online SC 279] the Apex Court held thus:

"15. In view of the foregoing enunciation of law by judicial decisions of this Court, it is clear that in absence of (i) pleadings regarding malafide, (ii) non-joining the person against whom allegations are made, (iii) violation of any statutory provision (iv) the allegation of the transfer being detrimental to the employee who is holding a transferrable post, judicial interference is not warranted. In the sequel of the said settled norms, the scope of judicial review is not permissible by the Courts in exercising of the jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India."

(emphasis supplied)

14. This Court in Mayadevi M.P and another v. Canara OP(KAT)Nos.384 & 385 of 2025

2025:KER:72997

Bank and others [2015 (4) KHC 874] held that an order of

transfer cannot be interfered with in proceedings under Article 226

of the Constitution of India, in the absence of any specific

allegation of mala fides or at least a prima facie proof of vitiating

circumstances influencing that order of transfer. It is far too late

in the day to assert that, this Court in exercise of its jurisdiction

under Article 226 of the Constitution of India can interfere with an

order of transfer of an employee as if it is sitting in appeal over

such an order issued by the employer. The scope of judicial review

in this area is very limited. Unless mala fides or oblique motives

are specifically pleaded or can necessarily be inferred from the

proof of facts, this Court cannot interfere with an order of transfer

of an employee. Therefore, a mere assertion in the writ petition

that, the orders of transfer are 'vitiated by extraneous

considerations and imbued with mala fides', cannot therefore

sound in realms of mala fides or extraneous considerations or

oblique motives. The concept being basically different, this Court

cannot even draw an inference that the order of transfer issued

by the employer is vitiated by mala fides or on extraneous OP(KAT)Nos.384 & 385 of 2025

2025:KER:72997

considerations or with oblique motives, unless it is specifically

pleaded in the writ petition with reliable materials, which are

sufficient to draw an inference of any vitiating circumstances

influencing such an order of transfer.

15. Again, in Nixy James v. Kerala State Road

Transport Corporation [2023 (3) KLT 893], this Court held

that the law is too well settled that transfer is an incidence of

service and the employee has no legal right in this behalf. It is

also well settled that, unless the orders of transfer are vitiated by

statutory violations or mala fides, Court will not interfere with the

same.

16. In the instant cases, the challenge raised by the

petitioners is against Annexure A2 transfer order dated

24.02.2025. By the said order, the petitioner in OP(KAT)No.384

of 2025 is transferred as Additional District Medical Officer

(Health), Ernakulam. The petitioner in OP(KAT)No.385 of 2025,

who is working in that post, is transferred to Idukki as

Superintendent, District Hospital. The 3rd respondent, who is in

the cadre of Assistant Director working as District Programme OP(KAT)Nos.384 & 385 of 2025

2025:KER:72997

Manager, National Health Mission, Palakkad, is promoted and

posted as District Medical Officer, Palakkad. When the Tribunal, by

Annexure A4 order in O.A.(EKM)Nos.342 and 338 of 2025 filed by

the petitioners, directed the 1st respondent to consider and pass

orders on the grievance raised by the petitioners, by Annexure A5

order dated 09.06.2025, the Government considered the matter

in detail and held that though the petitioner in OP(KAT)No.385 of

2025 raised his grievance against transfer on compassionate

ground of illness, the petitioner in OP(KAT)No.384 of 2025 did not

raise any valid reasons to retain her at Palakkad. According to the

Government, it was considering the experience of the 3 rd

respondent in OP(KAT)No.384 of 2025, as District Programme

Manager, National Health Mission, Palakkad, he is directed to be

retained at Palakkad in the promotion post.

17. Article 227 of the Constitution of India deals with the

power of superintendence over all courts by the High Court. Under

clause (1) of Article 227 of the Constitution, every High Court shall

have superintendence over all courts and tribunals throughout the

territories in relation to which it exercises jurisdiction. Clause (2) OP(KAT)Nos.384 & 385 of 2025

2025:KER:72997

of Article 227 provides that, without prejudice to the generality of

the provisions under clause (1), the High Court may call for

returns from such courts; make and issue general rules and

prescribe forms for regulating the practice and proceedings of

such courts; and prescribe forms in which books, entries and

accounts shall be kept by the officers of any such courts. Going by

clause (4), nothing in Article 227 shall be deemed to confer on a

High Court powers of superintendence over any court or tribunal

constituted by or under any law relating to the Armed Forces.

18. In Shalini Shyam Shetty v. Rajendra Shankar Patil

[(2010) 8 SCC 329] the Apex Court, while analysing the scope

and ambit of the power of superintendence under Article 227 of

the Constitution, held that the object of superintendence, both

administrative and judicial, is to maintain efficiency, smooth and

orderly functioning of the entire machinery of justice in such a way

as it does not bring it into any disrepute. The power of interference

under Article 227 is to be kept to the minimum to ensure that the

wheel of justice does not come to a halt and the fountain of justice

remains pure and unpolluted in order to maintain public OP(KAT)Nos.384 & 385 of 2025

2025:KER:72997

confidence in the functioning of the tribunals and courts

subordinate to the High Court.

19. In Jai Singh v. Municipal Corporation of Delhi

[(2010) 9 SCC 385], while considering the nature and scope of

the powers under Article 227 of the Constitution of India, the Apex

Court held that, undoubtedly the High Court, under Article 227 of

the Constitution, has the jurisdiction to ensure that all subordinate

courts, as well as statutory or quasi-judicial tribunals exercise the

powers vested in them, within the bounds of their authority. The

High Court has the power and the jurisdiction to ensure that they

act in accordance with the well established principles of law. The

exercise of jurisdiction must be within the well recognised

constraints. It cannot be exercised like a 'bull in a china shop', to

correct all errors of the judgment of a court or tribunal, acting

within the limits of its jurisdiction. This correctional jurisdiction can

be exercised in cases where orders have been passed in grave

dereliction of duty or in flagrant abuse of fundamental principles

of law or justice.

20. In K.V.S. Ram v. Bangalore Metropolitan OP(KAT)Nos.384 & 385 of 2025

2025:KER:72997

Transport Corporation [(2015) 12 SCC 39] the Apex Court

held that, in exercise of the power of superintendence under

Article 227 of the Constitution of India, the High Court can

interfere with the order of the court or tribunal only when there

has been a patent perversity in the orders of the tribunal and

courts subordinate to it or where there has been gross and

manifest failure of justice or the basic principles of natural justice

have been flouted.

21. In Sobhana Nair K.N. v. Shaji S.G. Nair [2016 (1)

KHC 1] a Division Bench of this Court held that, the law is well

settled by a catena of decisions of the Apex Court that in

proceedings under Article 227 of the Constitution of India, this

Court cannot sit in appeal over the findings recorded by the lower

court or tribunal and the jurisdiction of this Court is only

supervisory in nature and not that of an appellate court.

Therefore, no interference under Article 227 of the Constitution is

called for, unless this Court finds that the lower court or tribunal

has committed manifest error, or the reasoning is palpably

perverse or patently unreasonable, or the decision of the lower OP(KAT)Nos.384 & 385 of 2025

2025:KER:72997

court or tribunal is in direct conflict with settled principles of law.

22. In view of the law laid down in the decisions referred

to supra, the High Court in exercise of its supervisory jurisdiction

under Article 227 of the Constitution of India cannot sit in appeal

over the findings recorded by a lower Court or Tribunal. The

supervisory jurisdiction cannot be exercised to correct all errors of

the order or judgment of a lower Court or Tribunal, acting within

the limits of its jurisdiction. The correctional jurisdiction under

Article 227 can be exercised only in a case where the order or

judgment of a lower Court or Tribunal has been passed in grave

dereliction of duty or in flagrant abuse of fundamental principles

of law or justice. Therefore, no interference under Article 227 is

called for, unless the High Court finds that the lower Court or

Tribunal has committed manifest error, or the reasoning is

palpably perverse or patently unreasonable, or the decision of the

lower Court or Tribunal is in direct conflict with settled principles

of law or where there has been gross and manifest failure of

justice or the basic principles of natural justice have been flouted.

23. In the original applications, the pleadings pertaining to OP(KAT)Nos.384 & 385 of 2025

2025:KER:72997

malafides is conspicuously absent, except stating a stray sentence

in O.A (EKM) No.849 of 2025 that the order of transfer is vitiated

by malafides. No supporting pleadings to prove this aspect were

produced in the original applications as well as in the original

petitions. According to the Government, which is the appointing

authority of the petitioners, the respective petitioners are posted

to the places concerned to obtain the best service from them,

including from the 3rd respondent, who has sufficient experience

in the field working as District Programme Manager, National

Health Mission, Palakkad. It is true that, as per the Governance

structure, the petitioner in OP(KAT)No.384 of 2025, in her

capacity as the District Medical Officer, is the Convenor of District

Health Mission under the National Health Mission scheme, and the

duty of the 3rd respondent is to assist the convener in arranging

the programmes etc. Even then, the subjective assessment by the

1st respondent regarding the capability of the employees

concerned is not a matter that can be decided in an original

application filed before the Tribunal, without any pleadings to that

effect.

OP(KAT)Nos.384 & 385 of 2025

2025:KER:72997

Having considered the pleadings and materials on record and

the submissions made at the Bar, we find no reason to say that

the order passed by the Tribunal is perverse or illegal, which

warrants the interference of this Court by exercising the

supervisory jurisdiction under Article 227 of the Constitution of

India.

In the result, the original petitions stand dismissed. All

pending interlocutory applications stand closed.

Sd/-

ANIL K. NARENDRAN, JUDGE Sd/-

MURALEE KRISHNA S., JUDGE MSA OP(KAT)Nos.384 & 385 of 2025

2025:KER:72997

APPENDIX OF OP(KAT) 384/2025

PETITIONER ANNEXURES

Annexure A1 TRUE COPY OF G.O.(RT) NO. 3031/2023/H&FWD ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT Annexure A2 ANNEXURE A2: TRUE COPY OF G.O.(RT) NO.

537/2025/H&FWD DATED 24.02.2025ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT Annexure A3 TRUE COPY OF ORDER DATED 28.02.2025 IN OA(EKM)NO:342 OF 2025 Annexure A4 TRUE COPY OF COMMON ORDER DATED 18.03.2025 IN OA(EKM)NO:342 OF 2025 Annexure A5 TRUE.COPY.OF.GO(RT)NO:1591/2025/H&FWD DATED 09.06.2025 ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT Annexure R3(a) TRUE COPY OF THE REPORT OF TRANSFER OF CHARGE DATED 10.06.2025 OF DEPUTY DISTRICT MEDICAL OFFICER (HEALTH), PALAKKAD Annexure R3(b) TRUE COPY OF LETTER NO:DMOH-PKD/272/2024- A1 OF DISTRICT MEDICAL OFFICER (HEALTH), PALAKKAD DATED 10.06.2025 Annexure R3(c) TRUE COPY OF LETTER NO: DHS/9004/2024-ER1 OF 2ND RESPONDENT ADDRESSED TO THE 1ST RESPONDENT DATED 10.06.2025 Annexure R3(d) TRUE COPY OF THE ATTENDANCE REGISTER KEPT AT THE OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT MEDICAL OFFICER (HEALTH), PALAKKAD FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE, 2025 Exhibit P1 TRUE COPY OF ORDER DATED 15.09.2025 IN OA(EKM) NO:842 OF 2025 Exhibit P2 TRUE COPY OF THE OA (EKM) NO. 842 OF 2025 ALONG WITH ANNEXURES Exhibit P3 TRUE COPY OF REPLY STATEMENT FILED ON BEHALF OF THE 1ST RESPONDENT Exhibit P4 TRUE COPY OF RELY STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE 3RD RESPONDENT ALONG WITH ANNEXURES Exhibit P5 TRUE COPY OF REJOINDER SUBMITTED BY THE APPLICANT Exhibit P6 TRUE COPY OF ADDITIONAL REPLY STATEMENT OP(KAT)Nos.384 & 385 of 2025

2025:KER:72997

FILED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT Exhibit P7 TRUE COPY OF ANNEXURE SHOWING THE ROLE AND DUTIES OF THE DISTRICT PROGRAMME MANAGER AS PUBLISHED IN THE WEBSITE OF NATIONAL HEALTH MISSION UNDER THE HEADER INSTITUTIONAL SETUP UNDER NRHM OP(KAT)Nos.384 & 385 of 2025

2025:KER:72997

APPENDIX OF OP(KAT) 385/2025

PETITIONER ANNEXURES

Annexure A1 TRUE COPY OF G.O(RT)NO.537/2025/ H & FWD DATED 24.02.2025 ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT.

Annexure A2 TRUE COPY OF G.O(P)NO.3/2017/DEPARTMENT OF PERSONAL & ADMINISTRATION DATED 25.02.2017.

Annexure A3 TRUE COPY OF THE MEDICAL CERTIFICATES OF THE APPLICANT.

Annexure A4 TRUE COPY OF THE MEDICAL CERTIFICATE OF THE APPLICANT'S WIFE DATED 02.05.2022.

Annexure A5                    TRUE COPY OF THE INTERIM ORDER DATED
                               10.12.24 IN OA NO.1903/2024 PASSED BY
                               THIS           HON'BLE           TRIBUNAL,
                               THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.
Annexure A6                    TRUE COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION DATED
                               26.02.2025 SUBMITTED BY THE APPLICANT
                               BEFORE THE 1ST RESPONDENT.
Annexure A7                    RUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 18.03.2025 IN
                               O.A(EKM)NO.338/2025    PASSED    BY   THIS
                               HON'BLE TRIBUNAL.
Annexure A8                    TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER NO.1591/2025/H&FWD
                               DATED 09.06.2025 ISSUED BY THE 1ST
                               RESPONDENT.
Exhibit P1                     TRUE     COPY     OF     MEMORANDUM     OF
                               O.A(EKM)NO.849/2025      TOGETHER     WITH
                               ANNEXURES.
Exhibit P2                     TRUE COPY OF THE REPLY STATEMENT FILED BY

THE 1ST RESPONDENT IN OA(EKM) NO.849/2025 DATED 12.08.25.

Exhibit P3                     TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 15.09.2025
                               IN O.A(EKM)NO.849/2025 OF THE KERALA
                               ADMINISTRATIVE    TRIBUNAL,    ADDL.BENCH,
                               ERNAKULAM.
 

 
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