HC stays transfer of cop who complained about mess food

A video in which Manoj Kumar was purportedly complaining about “poor quality of food” had gone viral in August . He came on to the highway outside the Police Lines with his plate of dal and roti and complained about the food quality

PRAYAGRAJ The Allahabad high court stayed the transfer of UP Police constable Manoj Kumar, who got transferred to Ghazipur district from Firozabad, after he highlighted “sub-standard” quality of food served at the staff mess in Firozabad police lines.

The Allahabad high court . (File Photo)

Justice Pankaj Bhatia passed the order on a petition filed by the policeman (challenging his transfer from Firozabad to Ghazipur) and directed the state government to file its reply by the next date of hearing in the case.

A video in which Kumar was purportedly complaining about “poor quality of food” had gone viral in August this year. 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.

The petitioner’s counsel argued, “The transfer order of petitioner reveals that the order was on administrative grounds. However, the same was done as the petitioner had protested against the sub-standard food being served at the mess at Firozabad Police Lines, and thus on that protest, the petitioner has been transferred to Ghazipur.”

The court said, “Considering the submissions, the matter requires consideration. The respondents are directed to file the counter-affidavit within four weeks. The petitioner shall have four weeks thereafter to file the rejoinder affidavit. The case is listed on February 28.”

“Till the next date of listing, the transfer order (dated 20.09.2022) shall not be given effect unless the petitioner has already joined at the new place,” said the court.