Union of India v. Shashikant Lokhande
Case brief
What is this about?
Transfer-order litigation involving CPCB officer: CAT Mumbai (O.A. No. 1182 of 2023, order dated 15.05.2024) set aside transfer order dated 24.11.2023 (Pune to Bengaluru), citing absence of transfer policy among reasons; Bombay High Court on 09.04.2025 disposed of the writ petition expressly without examining merits, noting implementation of the Central Pollution Control Board Employees Transfer Policy 2024 (effective 27.12.2024) and grant of liberty to apply it afresh if transfer is intended; no costs. Keywords: judicial review of transfer orders, absence of transfer policy as ground of interference, administrative exigency, disposal without merits, liberty to reconsider under new policy.
What did the court decide?
Writ Petition disposed of without examining the challenge on merits; liberty to the Petitioners to consider administrative exigencies and apply the Policy of 2024 afresh should they intend to transfer the Respondent; Rule made disposed of with no order as to costs.