Couples have to make their choice at the threshold between career prospects and family life; HP HC observes in a case where a mother seeks job transfer to be with her daughter

Himachal Pradesh High Court: A Division Bench of Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Satyen Vaidya, JJ. dismissed the petition being devoid merits.

The facts of the case are such that the petitioner was appointed as Staff Nurse at IGMC Shimla, however, prior to joining the respondents Department, marriage of the petitioner was solemnized in the year 2016 and her husband is employed in Delhi in a private company. The only ground on which the petitioner sought her transfer was that since from the birth of her daughter Mrinali Thakur, the petitioner has never been able to enjoy the company of her daughter except for the period when the petitioner was sanctioned maternity leave and any other kind of duly sanctioned leave and the fact, that since the nature of the job of the petitioner has been such like that she hardly spares time for her child and as such she could not afford to keep her daughter with herself at Shimlahe instant petition was filed seeking relief in the nature of mandamus and the respondents may be directed to decide the representation moved by the petitioner sympathetically and transfer the petitioner from IGMC Shimla to SLBS Medical College & Hospital Ner Chowk, Mandi, against the vacant post, keeping in view the genuine request of the petitioner as mentioned in the representation.

The Court observed that mandamus is a public remedy and this remedy lies, when a public authority fails to perform the duty entrusted to it by law. In other words, a writ of mandamus is issued against a person, who has a legal duty to perform, but has failed or neglected to do so. The mere fact that the representation has been filed before the respondents does not furnish any cause of action in favour of the petitioner to maintain the instant petition; for there is no corresponding duty cast upon the respondents to decide such representation. While choosing career and particular service, the petitioner very well knew that she could not be transferred to the station where her husband is posted in a private job in Delhi and was thus required to be prepared to face such hardships

The Court thus held the instant petition and the same is accordingly dismissed, so also the pending application(s).[Lata Devi v. State of HP, 2021 SCC OnLine HP 8908, decided on 04-09-2021]

Arunima Bose, Editorial Assistant has reported this brief.

Appearances:

For petitioner: Mr. Rajiv Rai

For respondent: Mr. Ajay Vaidya