P.Chinnapandi v. Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 16.12.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI And W.M.P.Nos.54597, 54599 and 54601 of 2025 P.Chinnapandi ... Petitioner Vs.

1.Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation Rep. by its Managing Director, No.37, Mettupalayam Road, Coimbatore 641 043.

2.The General Manager Ooty Region, Ooty.

3.The Branch Manager, Coimbatore Region, Ondipudur Depot - II, Coimbatore.

4.The Branch Manager, Ooty Region, Gudalur Depot, Gudalur, Nilgiris District.

... Respondents 1/6

Prayer:

Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, after calling for the records pertaining to the order dated 28.11.2025 passed by first respondent in proceeding No.12251/C1/Ma Va Me/TNSTC(Ko)/2025, transferring the petitioner from Ondipudur Depot - II to the Gudalur Depot in Ooty region of the first respondent Corporation and the consequential relieving order No.4546 dated NIL passed by the third respondent relieving the petitioner from Ondipudur Depot - II w.e.f.01.12.2025, quash the same and consequently direct the first respondent to retain the petitioner and to allow the petitioner to continue his services as a driver in Ondipudur - II Depot, award costs.

For Petitioner : Ms.G.K.Dharshini For Respondents : Mr.C.Gawthamaraj

O R D E R

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 28.11.2025 passed by first respondent transferring the petitioner from Ondipudur Depot - II to Gudalur Depot in Ooty region 2/6

of the first respondent Corporation and the consequential relieving order No.4546 dated NIL passed by the third respondent relieving the petitioner from Ondipudur Depot - II w.e.f.01.12.2025, quash the same and consequently direct the first respondent to retain the petitioner and to allow the petitioner to continue his services as a driver in Ondipudur - II Depot.

3.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner was working as a Driver in the Ondipudur Depot - 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 Depot - II to Gudalur Depot in Ooty region 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 3/6

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 Driver in Ondipudur - II Depot. According to the petitioner, for participation of the strike, he was transferred from Ondipudur Depot - II to Gudalur Depot in Ooty region. However, the power available for transfer from one place to another place is available only in terms Certified Standing Order No.28 4/6

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. 16.12.2025 pri Index: Yes/ No Speaking Order: Yes/ No NCC: Yes/ No To 1.Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation Rep. by its Managing Director, No.37, Mettupalayam Road, Coimbatore 641 043.

2.The General Manager Ooty Region, Ooty.

5/6

M.DHANDAPANI,J.

pri 3.The Branch Manager, Coimbatore Region, Ondipudur Depot - II, Coimbatore.

4.The Branch Manager, Ooty Region, Gudalur Depot, Gudalur, Nilgiris District.

And W.M.P.Nos.54597, 54599 and 54601 of 2025 16.12.2025 6/6