M.Katju, D.R.Chaudhary, JJ. - (1.) Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Chief Standing counsel.
(2.) The petitioner has challenged the transfer order dated 8.12.99, Annexure - 1 to the writ petition. The petitioner is District Supply Officer, Meerut. By the impugned transfer order, be has been transferred from Meerut to the Headquarters at Lucknow. Annexure - 2 is copy of the letter dated 1.12.99 sent by a local M.L.A. Sri Atul Kumar to the Minister of Food and Civil Supply, Government of U.P. in which it has been written that the petitioner does not give importance to M.L.A.s and he is lodging false cases against businessmen, and therefore he should be immediately removed from Meerut and one Sri Mohan Singh should be posted as District Supply Officer, Meerut since Sri Singh's functioning is in accordance with the policy of the B.J.P. However, the District Magistrate, Meerut, in his letter dated 10.12.99 has written to the Secretary, Food and Civil Supply Department, U.P. that the petitioner is doing good work and he has greatly improved the functioning of the office of the District Supply" office and there is no complaint against him. Thereafter the petitioner was transferred by tire impugned order.
(3.) We are prima facie of tire opinion that the petitioner's transfer was because of the aforesaid letter of the M.L.A.;