IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.N.RAVINDRAN THURSDAY, THE 9TH JULY 2009 / 18TH ASHADHA 1931 WP(C).No. 18732 of 2009(J) -------------------------------------- PETITIONER(S): ---------------------- V.GANAPATHI NAMPOOTHIRI, AGED 43 YEARS, S/O. VASUDEVAN NAMBOOTHIRI, NANGANCHERY MANA, ALLAPARA P.O., PERUMBAVOOR, ERNAKULAM DISTRICT. BY ADV. MR.RAJESH VIJAYAN RESPONDENT(S): ------------------------ 1. TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, REP. BY DEVASWOM COMMISSIONER, OFFICE OF THE DEVASWOM COMMISSIONER, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. ASSISTANT DEVASWOM COMMISSIONER, THRIKKARIYOOR GROUP, THRIKKARIYOOR, KOTHAMANGALAM. R1 & R2 BY MR.P.G.PARAMESWARA PANICKER, SENIOR ADVOCATE,SC, TDB. ADV. MR.P.GOPAL, SC, TDB. THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 09/07/2009, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: rs. P.N.RAVINDRAN, J. ----------------------------- W.P(C) No. 18732 of 2009-J ------------------------------ Dated this the 9th day of July, 2009. J U D G M E N T The petitioner, who is a native of Keezhallur, is presently working as Santhi in Ramamangalam Devaswom which is 12 Kms away from his native place. He has filed this writ petition challenging Ext.P1 order dated 11.6.2009, passed by the Assistant Devaswom Commissioner transferring him to Alppara Temple near Perumbavoor. The petitioner had completed three years at Ramamangalam Devaswom and was therefore due for transfer. The petitioner challenges his transfer on the ground that it is not in strict compliance with the stipulations in Ext.P2 circular. 2. The learned standing counsel appearing for the Travancore Devaswom Board submits that the petitioner was posted at Ramamangalam Devaswom on 18.7.2005, that he has completed more than three years in the present station and that the petitioner had opted for transfer to Alpara Temple near Perumbavoor in the application submitted by him for transfer. He further submits that Alpara temple is approximately only 10-12 Kms away from petitioner's residence and that transfer to a station of his choice does not cause any inconvenience to him. W.P(C) No. 18732 of 2009-J 2 3. I have considered the submissions made at the Bar by the learned counsel appearing on either side. It is evident from the submissions made at the Bar that the petitioner has completed the normal term of three years in Ramamangalam temple. He was therefore due for transfer. In the application for transfer he had opted for transfer to Alpara Temple. The petitioner is a resident of Keezhallur. The distance from Keezhallur to Ramamangalam and the distance from Keezhallur to Alpara is approximately 10-12 Kms. Therefore the transfer to Alpara would not cause any prejudice to the petitioner. Further the transfer is to a temple which the petitioner had opted in the application for transfer. I am therefore satisfied that the order transferring the petitioner from Ramamangalam Devaswom to Alpara is in no way vitiated. The writ petition fails and is accordingly dismissed. Sd/- P.N.RAVINDRAN JUDGE //True Copy// PA to Judge ab