Coming to the rescue of a traumatised forest officer who was kidnapped in 2004 by militants in Meghalaya, the Central Administrative Tribunal, Madras Bench, has directed the Centre to take a decision within three months on his representation for a cadre transfer on medical grounds.
Passing orders on an application by D. Sathiyan, the Bench, comprising Members G. Shanthappa and O.P. Sosamma, quashed an order of the Union government rejecting his request.
While working as Divisional Forest Officer, Balapakhram National Park division, at Baghmara in Meghalaya, Mr. Sathiyan, an Indian Forest Service officer, was kidnapped by insurgents in June 2004 and released after repeated appeals and negotiations. He submitted a representation in 2008 to the Centre for change of cadre from Meghalaya to Kerala.
In the representation, he stated that he was afflicted with cerebral malaria during captivity. As he had no access to medical help, he was admitted to Ernakulam Medical Centre Hospital in a serious condition.
In the meantime, the officer was working as a lecturer on deputation in State Forest Service College, Coimbatore, from 2004 till April 2012.
The Centre rejected his request in 2010 for inter-cadre transfer from Meghalaya segment to Kerala, though the two States agreed to it. Hence, he approached the Tribunal.
The Union Ministry of Environment and Forest contended that the applicant was exaggerating the perils of going back to the State as he had developed an aversion to working there.
The Bench directed the Union Ministry to take a decision on his representation within three months after assessing his health condition and by obtaining a report from the agencies concerned along with ‘No objection’ letters issued by the States.
