A railway employee sought 2 extra days of leave, got an ‘OK’ from boss on WhatsApp, returned to duty to find himself suspended and transferred. Now Allahabad CAT says WhatsApp 'OK' not enough to prove leave sanction
The Allahabad bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal dismissed Priya Ranjan Kumar's challenge to his transfer order. He argued that a WhatsApp message approving his leave constituted valid authorization. However, the tribunal ruled that such a response cannot conclusively prove leave sanction by competent authority. The Railways claimed the transfer was due to administrative needs, not punitive measures. After reviewing both sides, the tribunal upheld the transfer decision.