Transfer of SDM Rohru on poltical ground, HC stays

In a major set back to Jai Ram Thakur Government, Himachal Pradesh High court today stayed the transfer order of SDM Rohru (Shimla district) to Rajgrah (Sirmour district) allegedly being done on the political grounds in very short notice of joining this post. In an order passed by the division bench of Chief Justice Amjad A Syed and Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan here today stayed the notification of the transferred SDM Rohru after just one month who was ordered to post at Rajgarh.  The High Court also issued notices to Chief Secretary of the State Government and  SDM Rajgarh seeking filling of reply on  next hearing  on July 11 in this matter. The division bench has passed these orders during the preliminary hearing of the petition filed by SDM Rohru Sunny Sharma.  As per the petition, SDM was transferred from Rohru to Rajgarh only after one month of the applicant joined there. Petitioner has alleged this in the petition that he was shuffled on the recommendation of the President of Himachal Pradesh State Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank Sashikala a ruling BJP leader. It is worthwhile to mention that  SDM was transferred nine times during his 8 years of service, in which most of the transfer orders have been made due to political interference.  The court, prima facie, agreeing to the arguments of the applicant, while staying the transfer notification, has summoned the reply of the petition from the state government.  There was a lot of campaign on social media regarding the transfer of SDM.  Some people on social media But a campaign was launched against the BJP leaders that they are unnecessarily engaged in transferring officers.  Earlier, the SDM posted in Kotkhai was transferred within just a week.  However, the government withdrew this decision after a few days.