R.A.Sharma, J. - (1.) Being aggrieved by order of his transfer/posting, the petitioner, who claims to be Forest Ranger, has filed this writ petition. Two counter-affidavits have been filed by the respondents. The petitioner has filed rejoinder-affidavits in reply thereto.
(2.) Learned counsel for the petitioner has made two submissions in support of the writ petition, viz., (i) the transfer order is in violation of the guidelines issued by the Government ; and (ii) the transfer order contains a stigma and. therefore, amounts to punishment. Learned standing counsel and learned counsel for the respondent No. 3 have disputed the above contentions.
(3.) In June, 1996, the petitioner was transferred from Mirzapur Forest Division to Allahabad and by order dated 8.8.1996 he was posted at Handia by the Divisional Forest Officer. Allahabad. The petitioner made a representation against the said order dated 8.8.1996 on the basis of which he was transferred from Handia and was posted at Meja in the same district of Allahabad. After about a year by order dated 12.6.1997, the petitioner was transferred from Meja to Pratappur in the same district, but this order was subsequently cancelled and was, therefore, not implemented. On 3.7.1997 another order was passed attaching him to the office of the Sub-Divisional Officer, Meja. It is this order which is under challenge in this petition.;