High court rap puts CM under scanner over interference in transfers

Bengaluru : The Karnataka High Court has delivered a stern warning against the alleged вмешательство of the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) in the transfer and posting of government employees, putting the Congress-led government under intense scrutiny. The court’s sharp observations have reignited political allegations of a “transfer industry” operating under the  government  administration.

A Division Bench comprising Justice D K Singh and Justice T M Nadaf made it clear that the Chief Minister should not be burdened with routine administrative matters like transfers, and instead focus on governance priorities. The court категорически directed that no requests for transfer or posting should be entertained directly by the CMO, stressing that such matters must be handled strictly at the departmental level.

The case arose from an intra-court appeal challenging a previous order by a Single Judge, who had already flagged disturbing trends. The Single Judge noted that several approvals and communications were being issued from the CMO, effectively overriding decisions taken by departmental authorities, particularly in the transfer of Group ‘B’ and ‘C’ staff.

One instance highlighted before the court involved an Assistant Manager who allegedly secured a mutual transfer through approval from the CMO, bypassing the established procedure within the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL). The court observed that such  incident raised serious doubts about transparency and whether such approvals were being issued with the Chief Minister’s knowledge.

The earlier order had also expressed concern that individuals within the CMO might be “mechanically issuing” such recommendations, creating resentment among employees and leading to increased litigation. Endorsing these concerns, the Division Bench reiterated that administrative discipline must be maintained and institutional processes respected.

In its defence, the state government filed an affidavit stating that communications from the CMO were merely recommendatory and not binding orders. However, the court was not convinced, emphasizing that even recommendations from the highest office could influence decisions unfairly and undermine due process.

The Bench directed that a copy of its order be placed before the Chief Minister, urging immediate corrective measures within the CMO. The ruling has given fresh ammunition to the Opposition BJP, which has long accused the government of misusing transfers for political patronage and financial gain.

With the High Court stepping in, the issue has escalated into a major political controversy, raising serious questions about governance, accountability, and the integrity of administrative processes in Karnataka.