THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE L.NARASIMHA REDDY WRIT PETITION No. 957 OF 2008 Dt: 25th March 2008 Between: S. Chandrasekhar …Petitioner and The Executive Director (K&N), APSRTC, Kadapa & another …Respondents THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE L.NARASIMHA REDDY WRIT PETITION No. 957 OF 2008 O R D E R: The petitioner is working as Assistant Manager (Traffic) in the APSRTC. When he was working in that capacity, at Anantapur, he was transferred by the 1st respondent, through an order dated 28.12.2007, to Kurnool Region. The same is challenged in this writ petition. It is contended that before the petitioner was transferred to Anantapur, he was working at Dharmavaram, and on a request made by him, expressing his personal difficulties, he was transferred to Anantapur, as recently as on 3.7.2007. It is submitted that the order of transfer was passed by the Executive Director, one day before the retirement of that officer. The petitioner also states that the transfer in the middle of the academic year, would lead to hardship to himself and his children. The respondents filed a counter affidavit, stating inter alia that out of his 18½ years of service, the petitioner worked in the Anantapur Region for the entire period, except for 3 or 4 years. The allegations, as to the illegality of the order of transfer, are denied. Heard Sri K. Venkata Ramaiah, learned counsel for the petitioner, and Smt. W.V.Rajeswari, learned Standing Counsel for the respondents. It is no doubt true that the petitioner was transferred on request to Anantapur, in the month of July 2007. The impugned order was passed within five months, thereafter. Notwithstanding the hardship, which the petitioner may have undergone, the prerogative of an employer to transfer its employees, cannot be interfered with, except where malafides are attributed. The reason furnished by the respondents is that almost in the entire length of service, the petitioner functioned only in one region, and that he deserves to be transferred to the neighbouring region. No exception can be taken to such a course of action, having regard to the nature of post held by the petitioner. The hardship expressed by the petitioner, on account of the transfer during the middle of the academic year, can be mitigated, by directing that the order of transfer to be given effect to, from 1.5.2008 onwards. Hence, the writ petition is disposed of, upholding the order of transfer, but directing that it shall be given effect to, from 1.5.2008 onwards. It is needless to mention that it shall always be open to the petitioner, to make a representation, as regards his functioning at any place, but it shall be entertained only after the petitioner joins duty at Kurnool. There shall be no order as to costs. _________________ 25th March 2008 PAN