U Bhuvaneshvari W/O Raveendra P Bhat vs Bharathiya Reserve Bank Note Mudrana (P) Ltd & Ors

S.R. Krishna Kumar, J

In this petition, the petitioner seeks the following reliefs:

"I.To issue a writ of certiorari to quash the transfer order dated 23.02.2026 numbered as BNM No.8787(M) 04.14.02/2025-26, issued by the 2nd respondent at Annexure-A;

II. To grant such other and further relief's this Hon'ble Court deems fit in the interest of justice and equity."

Heard the learned counsel appearing for the respective parties and perused the material on record.

A perusal of the material on record will indicate that the petitioner is working as a Manager in the respondent-office at Mysuru. On 23.02.2026, the respondent No.2 transferred the petitioner from Mysuru to Salboni, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal. In pursuance of the same, the petitioner submitted a representation/appeal at Annexure-C dated 02.03.2026, which reads as hereunder:

"To

The Managing Director/Senior General Manager

Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Limited

Corporate Office, No. 3 & 4, Ist Stage, Ist Phase,

BTM Layout, Bannerghatta Road,

Bengaluru - 560029

Through Proper Channel

Sub: Appeal regarding retention at Mysuru Unit on compassionate and medical grounds

Respected Sir,

I respectfully submit my appeal against the transfer order No. BNM No. 8787/(M) 04.14.02/2025-26 dated 23.02.2026, transferring me from Mysuru Unit to Saiboni Unit, West Bengal, in my existing capacity on long-term basis.

At the outset, I submit that, I joined the esteemed organization on 16.01.1999 during the Pilot Project phase as Assistant Manager and have rendered more than 27 years of continuous, unblemished service. I am presently holding the position of Manager and I am due for superannuation on 29.09.2029. Without prejudice to my commitment to organizational discipline, I most humbly request reconsideration of the transfer order on the following compassionate and compelling grounds:

Husband suffering from chronic illness

My husband has been suffering from a chronic medical condition (right kidney cancer) and dementia requiring continuous treatment, regular monitoring, and personal assistance for a minimum period of 5 years, as per Doctor's advice. He is presently unemployed and entirely dependent on me, both financially and physically, for his medical care and related expenses. Being the only earning member of the family, my physical presence at Mysuru along with my family is essential to take care of his medical needs, hospital visits and overall well-being. Relocation to Saiboni, West Bengal, which is geographically distant, would cause extreme hardship and seriously affect his health and treatment continuity. Necessary documents enclosed herewith for your kind perusal.

Personal Medical Grounds-Self

I am further constrained to submit that I myself being diabetic undergoing treatment for fibromyalgia and hormonal imbalances associated with menopause and arthritis. I am presently under regular medical care (allopathy and ayurvedic), requiring continuous monitoring and stability in my place of residence. A transfer to a geographically distant location such as Salboni, West Bengal, would seriously disrupt the continuity of my ongoing treatment and may adversely impact my health condition.

Earlier non-consideration of regular promotion due to inability to relocate on health grounds:

I respectfully submit that in all earlier regular promotional exercises (4-5 times) I was not considered for promotion due to my inability to accept transfer to Salboni Unit on genuine and compelling health grounds pertaining to my family circumstances. I have at no point refused responsibility or career advancement; however, my inability to relocate was solely on compassionate and unavoidable grounds beyond my control.

Past Compliance with Transfer Orders-Demonstration of Service Discipline:

I humbly bring to your kind notice that on an earlier occasion, I had duly complied with the transfer order issued by the Management and rendered continuous service for approximately two years in the position of Deputy Manage at Salloni Unit, West Bengal. During the said tenure, I discharged my duties with utmost sincerity without any adverse remarks and got transferred to Mysuru unit on medical grounds. This clearly establishes that I have never been unwilling to serve at other Units and have always respected organizational discipline. My present request for retention at Mysuru Unit is not out of reluctance to serve elsewhere, but solely due to the compelling medical and compassionate circumstances that have arisen subsequently, which merit sympathetic consideration under the Transfer Policy.

Long and dedicated service nearing retirement: Having rendered more than 27 years of efficient and continuous service and with only about three and a half years left for superannuation, I humbly request sympathetic consideration. Transfer at this stage of service would cause disproportionate hardship compared to any administrative necessity.

Willingness to forego future promotion: In order to demonstrate my commitment to the organization and to avoid any administrative inconvenience, I hereby voluntarily state that I am willing to forego any future regular promotion prospects, if required, for being retained at Mysuru Unit till my retirement.

Parity and Equitable Consideration in Transfer: It is most respectfully submitted that my case may kindly be considered on the same compassionate and equitable grounds as those extended to certain similarly placed officers, whose spouses are suffering from chronic medical conditions and who have been permitted to continue at their present stations. While the Management possesses the authority to effect transfers in administrative exigencies, I humbly pray that such discretion may kindly be exercised in a fair, equitable, and non-discriminatory manner in my case as well.

Daughter pursuing Engineering studies: My lone daughter is currently pursuing her Engineering course. She is at a crucial stage of her academic career and requires parental support, guidance and stability. Displacement at this juncture would cause severe disruption to her education and emotional well-being.

Sir, I assure you that I shall continue to discharge my duties with utmost sincerity and dedication at Mysuru Unit. I therefore humbly request that the transfer order to Salboni may kindly be waived off and that I may be permitted to continue at Mysuru Unit on compassionate and medical grounds. 1 sincerely hope the Management will consider my request sympathetically in view of the exceptional family circumstances explained above

All relevant supporting documents are enclosed herewith for your kind perusal and favourable consideration.

Thanking you in favourable anticipation.

Yours faithfully,

Smt. U. Bhuvaneshwari

Manager-Finishing Division

Employee No.: 20488

BRBNMPL, Mysuru Unit"

It is the grievance of the petitioner that though she had pleaded her inability to be transferred from Mysuru to West Bengal on citing various reasons including her and her husband's health grounds, the respondent No.2 has proceeded to pass an order at Annexure-B dated 04.04.2026 rejecting the representation / appeal submitted by the petitioner. Hence, the petitioner is before this Court by way of the present petition.

A perusal of the Order at Annexure-B dated 04.04.2026 will indicate the same, which reads as under:

"Madam,

Staff-Officers-Transfer

Please refer to your representation dated March 02, 2026 on the captioned subject.

In this regard, it is informed that Corporate Office has examined your instant request and conveyed that the same could not be acceded to. Accordingly, you will be relieved from this Office at the close of business on April 30, 2026 with instructions to report to the Senior General Manager, Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran (P) Limited, Salboni, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal- 721132 after availing of minimum journey period and usual joining time.

The other contents of our earlier letter BNM No. 8787/(M) 04.14.02 /2025-26 dated February 23, 2026 shall remain unchanged.

In case you wish to avail joining time at a later date as per the extant rules of the Company, you should take prior permission of the Competent Authority in writing before your date of relieving on transfer.

It may be noted that no further correspondence and representation in the matter of retention will be entertained by this office.

Yours faithfully,

For and on behalf of BRBNMPL

Dinesh Kumar Anand)

General Manager"

A perusal of the contents of Annexure-B dated 04.04.2026 will indicate that the various grounds and reasons urged by the petitioner in her representation / appeal at Annexure-C dated 02.03.2026 have neither been adverted to nor considered or appreciated by the respondent No.2 before rejecting the same and as such, in view of the cryptic, laconic, non-speaking and unreasoned order at Annexure-B dated 04.04.2026, without expressing any opinion on the merits / demerits of the rival contentions, I deem it just and appropriate to set aside the aforesaid order at Annexure-B dated 04.04.2026 and remit the matter back to respondent No.2 for reconsideration afresh in accordance with law by issuing certain directions.

In the result, I pass the following:

ORDER

(i) The petition is hereby allowed-in-part.

(ii) The order at Annexure-B dated 04.04.2026 passed by respondent No.2 is hereby set aside.

(iii) Matter is remitted back to respondent No.2 for reconsideration of the representation / appeal of the petitioner at Annexure-C dated 02.03.2026 afresh and in accordance with law on or before 30.04.2026.