The Bombay High Court on Friday directed the Maharashtra government to file a reply to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition alleging arbitrary transfer of IAS officer Shrikar Pardeshi from the position of the Municipal Commissioner of Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).
The PIL petition has alleged that the top bureaucrat was transferred for taking on the illegal construction barons who have strong political linkages.
It has claimed that the transfer was in violation of the rules laid down by the State government.
The petition has been filed by Pune-based activist Balbir Singh Chhabra.
“The State government has arbitrarily transferred Pardeshi which is against the principle of natural justice. Hence, it must be quashed. His transfer from the post of municipal commissioner is a great loss to the PCMC as his work against the unauthorised constructions and his anti-corruption drive were in the right direction. The transfer is vindictive and with mala fide intention to please some political persons, since citizens were happy with his performance,” the petition has stated.
The State government has been directed to file a reply by February 25, when the matter will be heard next.
