J. L. Odedra, J
1. The case of the petitioner is that he, having married a girl of his choice belonging to a different caste and therefore, he was telephonically threatened with death, after the date of the marriage, i.e. 11.05.2024.
2. Apparently, it is the case of the petitioner that even the police is complicit with the family of the girl, and therefore, he could not take recourse to approaching police in the State of Gujarat. It is the case of the petitioner that subsequently, he went to the State of Rajasthan, where he belongs and on 20.04.2025, he had filed FIR by addressing a letter to Pratapnagar Police Station, Bhilwara.
3. It is the case of the petitioner that he had joined service with State Bank of India (for short, the Bank) on 02.07.2012 and was gradually promoted to MMGS 111 (Manager, General Cadre) for the promotion year 2021-2022, under a special dispensation scheme designed to fill vacancies in deficit circles.
4. It is the case of the petitioner that he is presently posted in the city of Bhavnagar and that owing to the fear of life as aforesaid, he had visited the AGM of Bank on 01.04.2025 and had informed the Bank about the life threatening circumstances which he was facing and after seeking leave from the Bank, had gone to his home-town at Bhilwara, Rajasthan. That the Bank too had responded positively and had asked the petitioner to submit his Marriage Certificate with details of defendant wife. However, his request for transfer, in terms of notification/e-circular dated 05.05.2021, was not ordered despite him being eligible under the said e-circular to be transferred to parent circle. It was submitted that the petitioner had so far availed of privilege leaves, medical leaves etc. however, by way of the impugned memo, the petitioner has been informed that he having remained absent since 06.05.2025, he may report to the duty within 30 days from the date of such notice or else, he will have deemed to have been retired from his service, after such period.
5. It is also the case of the petitioner that he had made a representation on 28.04.2025 to the Manager, State Bank of India urging that because of the life threatening circumstances that he has facing, requesting for his transfer to Bhilwara, Rajasthan. However, that representation continues to be undecided.
6. In the circumstances, issue Notice to the respondents returnable on 12.01.2026. In the meantime, interim relief in terms of Para-8(D) of the present Application is granted till the next date of hearing only, i.e. 12.01.2026.
