Two-day transfer ‘flip-flop’: Punjab and Haryana HC stays second order
Direction came after Justice Bansal observed that officials, working as assistant sub-inspectors, were apparently victimised following their appreciation in the media
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has stepped in after three police officials were transferred again within two days of their earlier posting. Justice Jagmohan Bansal directed that the impugned order would not be implemented, subject to the officers filing a representation within a week.
The direction came after Justice Bansal observed that the officials, working as assistant sub-inspectors (ASI), were apparently victimised following their appreciation in the media.
At the onset, Justice Bansal observed the petitioners – represented by advocate Sameer Sachdeva –were shifted from Baghapurana to Moga on October 25, 2025, and had accepted the transfer. However, they were posted to different districts—Malerkotla, Mansa, and Pathankot–by another order dated October 27, 2025, triggering the challenge.
Justice Bansal observed: “There is an acute shortage of staff to the extent of 60 per cent of the sanctioned strength in Moga district. They have been transferred to assign administrative exigencies of other districts. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Moga, cannot be made aware of the administrative exigencies of other districts. They have been victimised. The authorities seem to be provoked by press coverage that appreciated petitioners and deprecated the department’s approach towards honest officers.”
Justice Bansal also took note of the state counsel’s submission that one of the petitioners, Sukhdev Singh, would not be transferred as he was around the date of superannuation. He added that the claim of others could not be considered “in view of the mandate of the Punjab Police Act, 2007, which specifically provides that any police officer may be posted in any part of the State”.
The Bench was also told that the posts the officers were holding were not district-wise. They might be transferred to any district or even outside the state.
“In the wake of the statement of State counsel, the petition stands allowed qua petitioner Sukhdev Singh. The other petitioners are at liberty to move an appropriate application seeking reconsideration of their transfer. If they submit such a representation, the competent authority would consider and address the same. The impugned order shall not be implemented till the adjudication of representation if petitioners file representation within a week,” Justice Bansal concluded.
