On Thursday, the Supreme Court dismissed a petition from government doctors opposing their relocation from Bengaluru, ruling that the city’s cosmopolitan appeal does not justify refusing transfers.
A bench comprising Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and K Vinod Chandran observed that no injustice was caused by the postings. “Bengaluru’s urban lifestyle is indeed attractive. However, many other districts in Karnataka are equally developed,” the court remarked, adding that as privileged public servants, the doctors could not claim exemption when others comply with such rules.
The petitioners had challenged the Karnataka State Civil Services (Regulation of Transfer of Medical Officers and other Staff) Rules, 2025, arguing they were given just a week to respond to the draft regulations and that “Greater Bengaluru” was not included in the initial proposal but was inserted later without proper procedure.
Earlier, the Karnataka High Court refused to halt the rules’ implementation, affirming that the state was within its authority under the 2011 Act governing transfers. The Supreme Court upheld this stance, declining further intervention.
While the doctors insisted the short notice was arbitrary, the bench maintained that procedural requirements were met, and transfers could not be opposed on lifestyle preferences alone.
This ruling paves the way for the state to proceed with reassignments, reinforcing that personal convenience cannot outweigh public service obligations.