IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
WP(C).No. 23701 of 2008(V)
1. G.THULASEEDHARAN,
... Petitioner
Vs
1. STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED
... Respondent
2. THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC
3. K.R. REGHUNATHAN NAIR,
For Petitioner :SRI.T.A.SHAJI
For Respondent : No Appearance
The Hon'ble MR. Justice K.T.SANKARAN
Dated :11/08/2008
O R D E R
K.T. SANKARAN, J.
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W.P.(C) No. 23701 OF 2008
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Dated this the 11th August, 2008
J U D G M E N T
The petitioner is working as Headmaster in the Government School for the
Blind, Thiruvananthapuram. It is stated that he is visually challenged with 100%
disability. His wife is also stated to be visually challenged with 100% disability. The
petitioner is a native of Kottarakkara. It is stated that he is residing in the Headmaster’s
quarters situated in the very same school compound. He has to maintain his wife and
two children. On his request , Ext.P6 order of transfer was passed on 13.07.2006
transferring him to Government School for the Blind, Thiruvananthapuram from the
Government School for the Blind, Ollassa, Kottayam.
2. Apprehending that the request of the third respondent to transfer him to
Government School for the Blind, Thiruvananthapuram dis-placing the petitioner would
be allowed, the petitioner submitted Ext.P8 representation dated 29.07.2008 requesting
that the petitioner may be retained at Thiruvananthapuram. Ext.P8 representation is not
disposed of.
3. The reliefs prayed for in the Writ Petition are the following:
“i. Issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order
or direction directing the respondents 1 and 2 not to transfer
the petitioner from Government School for the Blind,
Thiruvananthapuram.
ii. declare that Ext. P7 circular is of no application while
considering the request for transfer made by the 3rd respondent;
iii. issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order
W.P.(C) No. 23701 OF 2008
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or direction commanding the respondents 1 and 2 to consider
and pass orders on Ext.P8 on merits before taking any decision
on the request for transfer made by the 3rd respondent.
iv. issue such other writ, order or directions as this Hon’ble
Court deems fit to be granted in the circumstances of the case
including cost of the petitioner.
4. In the manner in which I propose to dispose of the Writ Petition, I do not
think it is necessary to issue notice to the third respondent as none of the rights of the
petitioner are being decided as against the third respondent in this Writ Petition.
Government Pleader takes notice for respondents 1 and 2.
5. In the facts and circumstances of the case, I am of the view that the question
whether the petitioner should be retained in the Government School for the Blind,
Thiruvananthapuram or whether the third respondent is entitled to get a transfer to the
Government School for the Blind, Thiruvananthapuram is a matter to be considered by
the second respondent, the Director of Public Instructions. The respective claims of the
petitioner and the third respondent normally would not be considered and decided in a
Writ Petition. The petitioner is entitled to get only relief No.(iii) for the present.
Accordingly, the Writ Petition is disposed of directing the second respondent to
consider Ext.P8 representation submitted by the petitioner before deciding the question
whether the petitioner is to be transferred out from the Government School for the
Blind, Thiruvananthapuram. The petitioner and the third respondent would be free to
put forward all their respective contentions before the second respondent in support of
their respective claims. It is made clear that I have not expressed any opinion on the
merits of the claim of the petitioner or on the probable defence of the third respondent.
The second respondent shall consider Ext. P8 representation and pass appropriate
W.P.(C) No. 23701 OF 2008
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orders regarding the transfer. A decision shall be taken by the second respondent as
expeditiously as possible. Till a decision is taken by the second respondent, the
petitioner shall not be transferred from the Government School for the Blind,
Thiruvananthapuram. The petitioner shall produce a copy of the Writ Petition and
certified copy of the judgment before the second respondent within a period of two
weeks. The petitioner shall also send a copy of the judgment to the third respondent by
registered post and shall produce proof of the same before the second respondent
within a period of two weeks.
K.T. SANKARAN,
JUDGE.
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