SHAMBHU NATH SAH vs DEPARTMENT OF POSTS on 30 October 2026

ORDER

VIVEK RAWAT

Heard, Shri Ashok Kumar Shukla, counsel for the applicant and Shri Chakrapani Vatsyayan, counsel for the respondents.

2. The instant original application has been filed seeking following reliefs: - “(a)Issue an appropriate order or direction commanding Respondent Nos.2 to 5 to post and adjust the applicant in any of the three opted post offices submitted vide his option dated 20.01.2026 namely Choice-1 LSG PA, Kanpur Cantt. H.O., Choice-2 LSG PA, D.O. K.P. City Division, Kanpur, Choice-3 LSG PA., Harjinder Nagar S.O. or in the alternative at any post office situated within 8 K.m. of his resident i.e. 362 EWS KDA Colony, Delhi Sujanpur COD SO Kanpur-208013 in accordance with departmental guide lines governing near retirement posts.

(b) any other relief which this Hon’ble Tribunal may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of the case to meet the end of justice.

(ii) Award the cost of Original Application in favour of the applicant.

3. Brief facts of the case as stated by the applicant that the applicant is an employee of the Department of Posts and has completed his tenure as S.P.M., Napier Road S.O. He has been a diligent and meritorious employee and has received rewards on 27.07.2001, 27.06.2003, 03.05.2010 and in May 2014. The applicant is due to superannuate on 29.02.2028 and, at the time of the impugned transfer order, had less than two years of service remaining, thereby falling within the category of employees nearing retirement under the VIVEK RAWAT

applicable transfer policy and rotational transfer guidelines of the Department of Posts. Pursuant to the calling circular bearing No. B-21/Tfr-Posting/2026/PA/KP City dated 02/05.01.2026, issued by Respondent No. 5, inviting options from eligible officials for rotational transfer, the applicant submitted his option form on 20.01.2026, indicating his three preferences, namely, (i) L.S.G. P.A., Kanpur Cantt. H.O., (ii) L.S.G. P.A., D.O., K.P. City Division, Kanpur, and (iii) L.S.G. P.A., Harjendar Nagar S.O., while specifically mentioning his impending superannuation in February 2028. However, Respondent No. 5, vide impugned transfer order dated 17.04.2026, arbitrarily ignored all three preferences without assigning any reason and transferred the applicant as S.P.M., Narwal S.O., situated approximately 30 kilometres from his residence, thereby compelling him to undertake a daily commute of more than 60 kilometres through public transport and causing considerable physical hardship, financial burden and mental distress at the fag end of his service career. Aggrieved thereby, the applicant submitted a detailed representation dated 20.04.2026 to the appellate authority, i.e., Respondent No. 4, through proper channel, seeking modification of the impugned transfer order and adjustment at any one of his three opted stations; however, VIVEK RAWAT

the applicant has been constrained to approach this Hon'ble Tribunal for redressal of his grievance. Hence the original application.

4. Learned counsel for the applicant submitted limited prayed to consider the representations dated 20.04.2026 by passing a reasoned and speaking order, within a time bound manner.

5. Learned counsel for the respondents has no issue if an order to decide the representation of the applicant is passed without going into the merits of the case.

6. Having considered the facts and circumstances of the case, and considering that the matter pertains to the transfer order dated 17.04.2026, whereby the applicant was transferred from S.P.M., Napier Road S.O. to S.P.M., Narwal S.O. upon completion of his tenure against a vacant post. The applicant had submitted a representation dated 20.04.2026, requesting his transfer to a nearby Post Office, keeping in view the fact that he is due to retire within less than two years. Accordingly, Original Application No. 1241 of 2026 is disposed of with a direction to the respondents/competent authority to consider the grievance of the applicant and decide his pending representation dated 20.04.2026 by VIVEK RAWAT

passing a reasoned and speaking order within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order.

7. No order as to costs.

(Ms. Manju Pandey)

Member (A)

/Vivek/

VIVEK RAWAT