Allahabad High Court stays transfer of 50,000 cops

“On finding prima facie discrimination in the transfer policy,the transfers of nearly 50,000 policemen have been stayed,” said Vijay Gautam,counsel of the policemen who had moved court on May 1,alleging their transfer orders were issued without the approval of the Police Establishment Board.

Gautam added: “We have challenged the transfers of policemen on three grounds. First,the transfers have been done without the approval of the Police Establishment Board. Second,the transfer policy is discriminatory as it exempts personnel engaged in VIP duties. Third,the state government has ignored several government orders and issued transfer orders on a pick and choose basis.”

Appearing on behalf of the government,Additional Advocate General S G Hasnain,however,contended that the transfers had been done in pursuance of a 1986 government order.

Justice Shishir Kumar has also granted two weeks to the petitioners to file counter rejoinders and the matter would now be heard in the first week of July.