Justice N Nagaresh observed that Joseph’s transfer from Ponkunnam in Kottayam district to Pudukkad in Thrissur was “punitive in nature” and lacked any legitimate justification.
Published Oct 17, 2025 | 4:14 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 17, 2025 | 4:29 PM
Joseph was transferred after Transport Minister KB Ganesh Kumar (inset) noticed the bottles on the dashboard near the front windshield of the bus at Ayoor on 1 October.
Synopsis: Jaimon Joseph was transferred after Transport Minister KB Ganesh Kumar noticed two water bottles on the dashboard of the bus at Ayoor on 1 October. The bus was then on the Mundakkayam-Thiruvananthapuram route, covering a distance of about 180 km. The driver argued that there was no other space in the cabin to keep his drinking water and that the transfer was arbitrary.
The High Court of Kerala on Friday, 17 October, set aside the transfer of Jaimon Joseph, a KSRTC Fast Passenger bus driver, who was shifted for keeping two water bottles on the vehicle’s dashboard during a long-distance trip.
Joseph was transferred after Transport Minister KB Ganesh Kumar noticed the bottles on the dashboard near the front windshield of the bus at Ayoor on 1 October. The bus was then on the Mundakkayam-Thiruvananthapuram route, covering a distance of about 180 km.
The driver was censured in front of the media. On 4 October, the KSRTC cited citing “administrative convenience” and transferred Joseph.
Justice N Nagaresh observed that Joseph’s transfer from Ponkunnam in Kottayam district to Pudukkad in Thrissur was “punitive in nature” and lacked any legitimate justification.
The court noted that no memo or charges were issued to the driver before the transfer and termed the move a “colourable exercise of power.”
The driver, who has an unblemished service record of nine years, challenged the order before the high court, arguing that there was no other space in the cabin to keep his drinking water and that the action was arbitrary.
KSRTC, in its defence, said the transfer was made pending disciplinary proceedings and relied on Clause 11 of the Transfer Guidelines in the Pay Revision Agreement, 2012, which empowers the corporation to shift staff on administrative grounds.
The court, however, found no merit in the argument.
“A transfer is justifiable only if the employee’s service is required at the new station, or if it is necessary for disciplinary or institutional interests. None of these conditions are present in this case,” the court observed.
The Bench allowed Jaimon’s plea, quashed the transfer order, and directed KSRTC to reinstate him at Ponkunnam.
