Kerala High Court Upholds Tribunal's Decision: No Interim Relief for Teacher Transfer Case

Supervisory jurisdiction under Article 227 limited; High Court refuses to overturn Tribunal's order on staff transfer.

The Kerala High Court, in a significant ruling dated August 26, 2025, upheld the Kerala Administrative Tribunal's decision to deny interim relief to Shiny S. Raj, a High School Teacher (English) challenging her transfer from Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Adoor, to Government High School, Thengamam. The judgment was delivered by a division bench comprising Mr. Justice Anil K. Narendran and Mr. Justice Muralee Krishna S.

Shiny S. Raj had filed an original application under Section 19 of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985, seeking to set aside the order dated June 20, 2025, which facilitated her transfer due to staff fixation requirements. The Tribunal declined to grant interim relief to stay the order, a decision that was contested by Raj under the supervisory jurisdiction of Article 227 of the Constitution of India.

The High Court, after detailed deliberations, emphasized the limited scope of Article 227, affirming that it cannot be exercised like a 'bull in a china shop' to correct all errors of subordinate courts or tribunals. The bench noted that the Tribunal's order was based on valid reasoning and did not exhibit any patent perversity or illegality. Consequently, the Court found no justification to interfere with the Tribunal's order, reinforcing that the supervisory jurisdiction is intended for correcting grave derelictions of duty or manifest failures of justice.

The judgment further clarifies that applicants cannot expand the scope of the original application in subsequent petitions under Article 227. The court dismissed the petition filed by Raj, denying any relief concerning the staff fixation order dated July 25, 2025, which Raj sought to challenge as part of the ongoing proceedings.

This ruling reiterates the principle that High Courts, under Article 227, are not appellate bodies over administrative tribunals and are restricted to ensuring that tribunals and lower courts act within their jurisdiction. The decision is seen as a reinforcement of judicial discipline and the proper functioning of the tribunal system.

Bottom Line:

Supervisory jurisdiction under Article 227 of the Constitution of India cannot be exercised to sit in appeal over findings of lower courts or tribunals, and correctional jurisdiction is limited to grave dereliction of duty, flagrant abuse of law or justice, or manifest failure of natural justice. 

Statutory provision(s): Article 227 of the Constitution of India, Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985, Section 19.

Shiny. S. Raj v. State of Kerala, (Kerala)(DB) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2783254