Bank Executive Suspended for Transferring Staff Despite Request from MLA

The Madhya Pradesh High Court is hearing a case involving the suspension of a bank official. This case is not about a public grievance, but rather an example of political pressure being misused. The case revolved around the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Central Cooperative Bank in Sidhi district, who was suspended following a complaint from a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), who also holds a ministerial post.

According to the CEO, the issue started when he transferred a bank clerk as part of regular administrative procedure. This decision angered the MLA, who reportedly scolded him over the phone for not informing her about the transfer. Later, the MLA accused the CEO of using disrespectful and unparliamentary language, which led to his suspension.

However, the court examined the facts and concluded that the suspension was not based on any serious misconduct or public complaint. Rather, it was the result of the MLA using her political influence because her ego was hurt when the CEO refused to reverse the transfer. Justice Vivek Jain, who heard the case, remarked that the MLA had acted beyond her role as a public representative. Instead of raising a legitimate concern affecting the public, she was advocating for a single clerk by pressuring the CEO to cancel the transfer.

The court said this was a clear misuse of power and political pressure. It emphasized that the MLA was not highlighting a constituency-wide issue, but was instead pushing for personal or political interest—protecting one individual with whom she had political or personal ties.

Justice Jain ruled that the suspension order appeared to be biased and was carried out under external pressure. He clarified that there is a difference between an elected representative recommending a transfer based on public complaints, and one trying to interfere with administrative decisions just to satisfy a personal ego or favour an individual.

More details will be released soon.