A.Ganeshkumar (C20094) v. Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 29-01-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI WP No. 2817 of 2026 and WMP Nos.3120, 3125 and 3131 of 2026 A.Ganeshkumar (C20094) S/o. Arunachalam, No.3E, Kalaidasar Street, Bharathipuram, Pallapalayam Post, Coimbatore 641 103 ..Petitioner(s) Vs
1. Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Coimbatore) Ltd., Rep. by its Managing Director, 37 Mettupalayam Road, Coimbatore 641 043
2. The General Manager Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Coimbatore) Ltd., Coimbatore Region, 37 Mettupalayam Road, Coimbatore 641 043
3. The Branch Manager Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Coimbatore) Ltd., Coimbatore Region, Ondipudur Depot II, Coimbatore 641 016.
..Respondent(s)
Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India seeking a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records pertaining to the order dated 26.12.2025 passed by the 2nd respondent in proceeding No. 1688/ E3P/ ED1/ TNSTC (Ko)/ 2025 transferring the petitioner from Ondipudur Branch II to Karumathampatty branch of the 1st respondent Corporation and the consequential reliving order No. 4569 dated NIL passed by the 3rd respondent relieving him from Ondipudur Branch II w.e.f. 7.01.2026, quash the same and consequently direct the respondents to retain the petitioner and to allow him to continue his services as a conductor in Ondipudur II Branch. For Petitioner(s):
Ms. G.K.Dharshini For Respondent(s):
Mr.C.Gauthamaraj Standing Counsel
ORDER
By consent, the writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.
2.The petitioner has filed this writ petition seeking issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records pertaining to the order dated 26.12.2025 passed by 2nd respondent transferring the petitioner from Ondipudur Branch - II to Karumathampatty branch of the 1st respondent corporation and the consequential reliving order No. 4569 dated NIL passed by
the 3rd respondent relieving him from Ondipudur Branch II w.e.f. 7.01.2026, quash the same and consequently direct the respondents to retain the petitioner and to allow him to continue his services as a conductor in Ondipudur II Branch.
3.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner was working as a Conductor in the Ondipudur Branch - II and he participated in the strike and regarding the strike, there was an issue before this Court, in which, the respondent Corporation has undertaken that no punishment will be imposed against the persons, who participated in the strike and, despite the said undertaking before the Division Bench of this Court, the petitioner was transferred from Ondipudur Branch - II to Karumathampatty Branch of the 1st respondent Corporation. vide impugned transfer order. 4.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner further submitted that the power of transfer is available to respondent in terms of 28 of the Certified Standing Orders however, such a power was taken away by the order of the Labour Court in Standing Order Appeal No.4 of 1995 dated 01.04.2022. The learned counsel further submitted that since the Standing Order No.28 is deleted, there is no power available to the Transport Corporation for transferring
the employees from one Depot to another Depot and hence, he would request that this Court may set aside the impugned transfer order and allow the writ petition.
5.The learned counsel appearing for the respondents submitted that the transfer order is inherent power of the Transport Corporation thereby, the transfer order was passed and that too, the place of transfer is within 25 kilometres hence, there is no difficulties to the petitioner. He further submitted that the transfer order is not a punishment and, it is only passed on the administrative grounds.
6.The facts of the present case is not in dispute. Admittedly, the petitioner is employed as a Conductor in Ondipudur Branch II. According to the petitioner, for participation of the strike, he was transferred from Ondipudur Branch - II to Karumathampatty Branch of the 1st respondent corporation. However, the power available for transfer from one place to another place is available only in terms Certified Standing Order No.28 and the same is deleted in Standing Order Appeal No.4 of 1995 dated 01.04.2022 on the file Principal Labour Court, Chennai.
7.In view of the deletion and further there is a similar order passed in W.A.No.2751 of 2025, this writ petition is allowed and the impugned order is set aside. However, liberty is granted to the respondents to proceed the matter in accordance with law, if the certified standing order is restored. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 29-01-2026 Note: Issue order copy on 02.02.2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order UMA To
1. The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Coimbatore) Ltd., 37 Mettupalayam Road, Coimbatore 641 043
2. The General Manager Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Coimbatore) Ltd., Coimbatore Region, 37 Mettupalayam Road, Coimbatore 641 043
3. The Branch Manager Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Coimbatore) Ltd., Coimbatore Region, Ondipudur Depot II, Coimbatore 641 016
M.DHANDAPANI, J.
UMA 29-01-2026