Public Service Employees Cannot Refuse Transfers to Stay at One Place: Orissa High Court

The Orissa High Court dismissed the appeal of a former Bank of Baroda officer who was removed from service for remaining absent after refusing a transfer from Bhubaneswar to Godhra.

The Court emphasised that employees in all-India public services are expected to comply with transfer orders and observed that defiance disrupts banking administration.

Rejecting the employee’s plea that she stayed back to care for her aged parents, the Bench noted that she had suppressed facts regarding her siblings.

The Court also held that allegations of violation of natural justice must show actual prejudice and cannot be raised as empty formalities.

[Itishree Nath v. Bank of Baroda & Ors.]