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Kerala High Court Quashes KSRTC Driver’s Transfer Over ‘Bottle’ Row

The court found the move punitive as the order cited only administrative convenience and disclosed no charges.

Overview

  • Justice N. Nagaresh set aside the transfer of driver Jaimon Joseph and directed KSRTC to let him continue at its Ponkunnam unit.
  • The judgment said the transfer to Pudukkad was a colourable exercise of power because no justifiable reason or memo of charges was presented.
  • KSRTC told the court the move was an administrative transfer pending inquiry under Clause 11 of its transfer norms.
  • The corporation also cited a 2024 cleanliness circular that bans placing items near the windscreen and instructs depots to install dustbins.
  • The transfer followed Transport Minister K. B. Ganesh Kumar stopping the bus over empty bottles and alleged uncleanliness, while the driver said he kept two water bottles for a 210 km run with no cabin storage.