In a significant ruling, the Kerala High Court has invalidated the transfer of Jaimon Joseph, a driver with the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC). His transfer was initially framed as a disciplinary measure because he had placed a couple of water bottles on the bus dashboard.
Justice N. Nagaresh, presiding over the case, declared that such a transfer — specifically from Kottayam to Thrissur — could only be interpreted as an improper exercise of authority. The court subsequently granted Mr. Joseph’s petition and has ordered KSRTC to reinstate him at their Ponkunnam unit.
The KSRTC had previously cited a 2024 circular, informing the Kerala High Court that it prohibited keeping items near the windscreen. However, the High Court emphasized that the transfer order provided no legitimate administrative grounds or details of disciplinary infractions to justify the move. According to the court, “In the absence of any justifiable reason, his transfer would be punitive in nature.”
This controversial transfer stemmed from an incident earlier this month when Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar personally stopped the bus driven by Mr. Joseph and instructed punitive action for the presence of the two water bottles. Mr. Joseph defended his actions, explaining that the bottles contained drinking water for his 210 km journey and that no other suitable storage was available within the driver’s cabin.