Hisar: The Punjab and Haryana high court has sought a response from Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (HAU), Hisar, on a petition filed by a woman scientist challenging her transfer from the university campus in Hisar to Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Mandkola in Palwal district, nearly 250 km away.
Justice Deepak Gupta issued a notice of motion to the university and other respondents and fixed June 22 for further hearing in the matter. In her petition, Dr Swati Mehra alleged that the June 9 transfer order was not based on any genuine administrative requirement, but was issued as a retaliatory measure after she raised concerns about alleged irregularities within the university before competent authorities.
The petitioner contended that the transfer violates HAU's transfer policy, which accords special consideration to unmarried women employees having dependent parents. She claimed that despite being entitled to such protection under the policy, she was shifted to a distant station without considering her personal circumstances.
According to the plea, Dr Mehra is responsible for the upbringing of her late brother's two children, ages 12 and 9, who are studying in a school in Hisar. She also looks after her elderly mother, who is stated to be dependent on her. The petition argues that relocating her more than 250 km away would adversely affect the children's education and create hardship for the family.
The scientist further submitted that she has been undergoing treatment for cervical sprain and related medical issues. She also informed the court that she is supervising postgraduate and doctoral students whose ongoing research work could be affected by her transfer. Alleging that the transfer was intended to silence her for exercising her right to raise concerns regarding alleged irregularities, the petitioner has sought quashing of the transfer order and other consequential reliefs. The high court has now called upon the university to file its response before the next date of hearing.
