S.Balan v. Union Of India
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 11-06-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA AND WMP NO. 23295 OF 2026,WMP NO. 23296 OF 2026 S.Balan ..Petitioner(s) Vs
1. Union Of India Rep. by Chairman, Railway Board, New Delhi
2. Director General Rail Bhawan, New Delhi
3. Inspector General cum Principal Chief Security Commissioner R.P.F. Southern Railway, Moor Market Complex, 6th Floor, Park Town, Chennai-600 003
4. The Senior Divisional Security Commissioner RPF, Chennai Division, M.A.S. Southern Railway, D.R.M. Complex, 5th Floor, Park Town, Chennai-600 003
5. Inspector of Police, RPF General Stores Depot (GSD) Perambur, Chennai.
..Respondent(s) Prayer:- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the
records relating to the proceedings in file No.SR-MASORPF (CADR) / 17/ 2021-O/o Ch.OS/I/Sr. DSC/ MAS/ SR dated 27.05.2026 of the 4th respondent pertaining to Cluster Transfer-2026 initiated through the TMM Module of HRMS and quash the same as illegal and consequently direct the respondents to permit the petitioner to continue at General Stores Depot (GSD), Perambur till completion of his 5 year tenure.
For Petitioner(s):
Mr.M.Jaikumar For Respondent(s):
Mr. AR L.Sundaresa, ASGI, Assisted by Mr.K.Srinivasa Murthy, SPCCG
ORDER
This Writ Petition has been filed for the following reliefs:- "calling for the records relating to the proceedings in file No.SRMASORPF (CADR) / 17/ 2021-O/o Ch.OS/I/Sr. DSC/ MAS/ SR dated 27.05.2026 of the 4th respondent pertaining to Cluster Transfer-2026 initiated through the TMM Module of HRMS and quash the same as illegal and consequently direct the respondents to permit the petitioner to continue at General Stores Depot (GSD), Perambur till completion of his 5 year tenure." Brief Facts;-
2. The petitioner would submit that he was initially appointed in the Railway Protection Force on 02.05.1990 and is currently working as Head Constable at Railway Protection Force, General Stores Depot (GSD), Perambur. The petitioner would submit that he was earlier working at Puttur, Andhra Pradesh from 28.06.2019 to 24.05.2024 and thereafter transferred and joined the present station on 25.05.2024.
3. The petitioner would submit that the 4th respondent, by proceedings dated 27.05.2026 directed RPF staff to submit options through the TMM module of HRMS for Cluster Transfer-2026, with the window open from 27.05.2026 to 30.05.2026. Though the petitioner has not completed the prescribed five-year tenure applicable to a Head Constable at a station, his name has been included at Serial No.101 in the Chennai Cluster Transfer list. The petitioner would therefore submits that such inclusion of his name in the transfer list is contrary to the applicable transfer policy and standing orders.
4. The petitioner would submit that as per the Directive No.58 issued under Rule 28 of the RPF Rules, 1987, and its revised addendum dated 18.03.2024, annual transfers are required to be completed by 31st March, extendable by two months only in case of administrative exigency. According to the petitioner, the impugned cluster transfer initiated on 27.05.2026 is contrary
to the said guidelines, as no administrative necessity has been disclosed for the same. Therefore, challenging the same, the petitioner is before this Court.
5. Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the records.
6. The contention of the petitioner is that the impugned Cluster Transfer proceedings have been initiated contrary to the applicable transfer policy and standing orders, more particularly, Directive No.58, issued under Rule 28 of the RPF Rules, 1987.
7. As per Directive No.58 issued under Rule 28 of the RPF Rules, 1987, and its revised addendum dated 18.03.2024, annual transfers are required to be completed by 31st March of every calendar year. However, a perusal of Clause D (xviii) of the above said Directive shows that, in case of administrative exigency, the DG/RPF may extend the deadline by a maximum period of two months. The impugned Cluster Transfer proceedings fall within this extended period and therefore there is no violation of Directive No.58. That apart, it is brought to the notice of this Court that the petitioner has been posted in and around his place of residence for the past 31 years. Further, under the impugned transfer proceedings also, the petitioner has been transferred to Arakkonam, which proximate to his place of residence.
8. In view of the above, I find no reason to interfere with the impugned Cluster Transfer proceedings dated 27.05.2026. Accordingly, the Writ Petition is dismissed. No costs. Consequently, the connected Miscellaneous Petitions are closed.
11-06-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order SHR To
1. Union Of India Rep. by Chairman, Railway Board, New Delhi
2. Director General Rail Bhawan, New Delhi
3. Inspector General cum Principal Chief Security Commissioner R.P.F. Southern Railway, Moor Market Complex, 6th Floor, Park Town, Chennai-600 003
4. The Senior Divisional Security Commissioner RPF, Chennai Division, M.A.S. Southern Railway, D.R.M. Complex, 5th Floor, Park Town, Chennai-600 003
5. Inspector of Police, RPF General Stores Depot (GSD) Perambur, Chennai.
P.T.ASHA J.
SHR AND WMP NO. 23295 OF 2026,WMP NO. 23296 OF 2026 11-06-2026