Allahabad High Court stays transfer of Police Constable who protested against 'sub standard' police mess food

The Allahabad High Court has stayed the transfer of the Uttar Pradesh Police Constable Manoj Kumar whose one video went viral a few months back where he could be seen complaining over the poor quality of food served in the police mess.

The bench of Justice Pankaj Bhatia passed the order in the plea moved by the constable against his transfer from Firozabad to Ghazipur.

In August 2022, a video of Constable Manoj Kumar went viral where he could be seen highlighting the “sub-standard” quality of food served at the staff mess in Firozabad police lines. He had come on to the highway outside the Reserve Police Lines with his plate of dal and roti and complained about the food quality.

Thereafter, on September 20, he was transferred to Ghazipur district, which is 600 km away from Firozabad.

Before the high court, Kumar’s counsel argued that although the order impugned revealed that the order was on administrative grounds, however, the same was done as Kumar had protested against the poor quality of the food being served at the mess.

Taking note of the submission, the single judge bench opined that the matter required consideration. Therefore, court directed the State government to file its counter-affidavit within four weeks.

Court further directed that after filing of government's reply, the petitioner will have four weeks thereafter to file the rejoinder affidavit.

Court posted the matter on February 28, 2022 for further hearing while ordering that in the meanwhile, the transfer order of Kumar dated 20.09.2022  shall not be given effect to unless he has already joined at the new place.