Madhya Pradesh High Court grants interim relief to school peon transferred over religious conversion

No coercive action shall be taken for now against the employee for not joining at the transferred place, the Court ordered.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday stayed coercive action against a school peon who was recently transferred owing to allegations that he converted his religion and was influencing others to do so (Shailendra Kumar Farend v The Block Education Officer).

Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla noted the argument that the Block Education Officer is not competent to transfer a Class IV employee. The Court asked the government to respond to the petition challenging the transfer, and in the meantime stayed the action.

“Till then no coercive action shall be taken against the petitioner for not joining at the transferred place. List on 16.10.2025,” the Court ordered.

Shailendra Kumar Farend alias Shailesh, a peon at Government Higher Secondary Sultanpur, had been transferred to the Sardapur Block Education Office on September 30 on the basis of allegations that he had adopted Christianity and was converting Hindus by offering money.

In his challenge, his counsel argued that the transfer order was passed without any departmental inquiry or giving him a chance to explain. It was also contended that the order was based on a politically motivated complaint by the village sarpanch and deputy sarpanch.

It was further submitted that Farend belongs to the Scheduled Caste category and is a Class IV employee, and as per Madhya Pradesh government rules, such transfers require prior permission from the Collector or the relevant Minister.

The Court accepted this argument and restrained any action against the petitioner for now. The matter will be heard again on October 16.

Advocate Murtuza Bohra represented the petitioner; Advocate Rajwardhan Gawde appeared for the State.

 

Source: Bar & Bench, “Madhya Pradesh High Court grants interim relief to school peon transferred over religious conversion.”