Authority: High Court at Calcutta

Order Date: August 21, 2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioner: Pravatansu Sahu, contractual worker with West Bengal Small Industries Development Corporation Limited (WBSIDCL) since 2014.
  • Respondents: State of West Bengal & others; WBSIDCL as respondent.
  • Petition filed under Article 226 challenging a transfer order dated January 13, 2026 that moved the petitioner to another post.
  • Petitioner alleged the transfer was arbitrary, whimsical, and mala fide, causing personal difficulty.
  • Respondent counsel argued transfers are routine, no prior challenge, and no policy breach; personal inconvenience is not a ground for rescission; cited Supreme Court decision Rajendra Roy vs. Union of India (1993) 1 SCC 148.
  • Court examined principles: transfer not a vested right; interference only if breach of established transfer policy or proven mala fide/arbitrariness.
  • Court found no transfer policy at WBSIDCL, and no evidence of mala fide or arbitrariness; personal difficulty insufficient.
  • Supreme Court precedent reaffirmed that personal hardship cannot impede a lawful transfer.

Final Outcome

  • The writ petition WPO/196/2026 is dismissed.
  • No order as to costs.
  • Parties may obtain an urgent certified photostat copy of the order upon compliance with requisite formalities.

Topics: Transfer Orders, Employment Law