Dr B. Ashok

Summary

Dr B. Ashok, a 1998-batch Kerala IAS officer, told the CAT in 2021 that he had been transferred 15 times in six years; no career total was found. Under the CPI(M)-led government he was removed as KSEB chairman in 2022 after a public fight with Left-backed officers' unions, and in 2025 was moved twice within months, the second time soon after an inquiry report that reportedly pointed to the CM's office as the source of a leaked World Bank email. The CAT set aside one transfer and stayed another, criticising the government for issuing a fresh order while its stay was in force. The government has given no public reason for these moves.

His own claim before the CAT: 15 transfers in the preceding six years (a window, not a career total).

This count comes from analyses of service records, not from a reported dispute. Few of these moves have a published reason, and a high count is not evidence that the officer was punished.

1. Mar 2021One report

   Secretary (Power & Water Resources), then MD SupplyCoCMD, Kerala Transport Development Finance Corporation

   As president of the Kerala IAS Officers' Association, Ashok challenged his move out of a cadre post to KTDFC, saying he had been transferred 15 times in six years. The Kochi CAT bench directed the Chief Secretary to review the transfer and pass a speaking order by 12 May 2021.

   The officer said

   'Not once had the procedure to transfer prematurely, including the mandatory recommendation by the state civil service board, been conducted.'

   The other side said

   Not found.

   Outcome

   The CAT ordered the Chief Secretary to review the transfer by 12 May 2021.

   What became of the matter

   Unknown. The Chief Secretary's speaking order after the CAT direction was not found; Ashok became KSEB CMD in mid-2021.

   ETGovernment, Apr 2021

2. Jul 2022Documented

   Chairman & MD, Kerala State Electricity BoardSecretary, Agriculture

   From February 2022 Ashok publicly criticised the CPI(M)-backed KSEB Officers' Association. He alleged that KSEB land had been handed to cooperative societies for tourism without board or government approval, and suspended engineer A. Jasmine Banu, then association president M. G. Suresh Kumar and general secretary B. Harikumar for organising a protest. The suspensions were revoked but the leaders were transferred away, and CITU and other unions objected to chargesheets against strikers. He was removed on the eve of his first anniversary in the post.

   Up against

   KSEB Officers' Association (M. G. Suresh Kumar) and CITU-affiliated unions, Employee unions, CPI(M)-backed unions Government: CPI(M)-led LDF (Pinarayi Vijayan, CM).

   Reported reason

   NIE: removed 'amid allegations of not implementing the agreement with the trade unions'; it says there were reports that CM Pinarayi Vijayan proposed the move in cabinet, although Power Minister K. Krishnankutty had backed Ashok.

   The officer said

   'While I was the chairman, all things were carried out after informing officials concerned and the minister.' He said transfers happen in all institutions and declined further comment (TNM).

   The other side said

   No official reason found.

   What became of the matter

   Unknown. Whether his allegation about KSEB land handed to cooperatives was examined was not found.

   The News Minute, Jul 2022 · The New Indian Express, Jul 2022

3. 3 years with no move on record here.

4. Jan 2025Documented

   Principal Secretary, Agriculture & Agricultural Production CommissionerHead, Local Self Government Reforms Commission

   The government moved him to head a newly formed commission. He challenged it as a forced deputation to a non-equivalent post, and the CAT Ernakulam bench (Justice K. Haripal and Member V. Rama Mathew) set the order aside and kept him in Agriculture.

   The officer said

   Through counsel, he said the post 'is not equivalent to the position of Principal Secretary' and that the move was 'a forced or mandatory deputation' without consent.

   The other side said

   No public reason; the government pleader said Tinku Biswal had been given his charges.

   Outcome

   Transfer set aside by the CAT.

   • Judgment CAT Ernakulam bench (Justice K. Haripal, V. Rama Mathew), B. Ashok v. State of Kerala (OA number not found), Jan 2025

     Therefore, the Tribunal found the order liable to be set aside.

   The New Indian Express, Jan 2025

5. Aug 2025Documented

   Principal Secretary, Agriculture & APCCMD, KTDFC (deputation)

   The World Bank's first instalment of about ₹139.65 crore for the KERA climate-resilient agriculture project was reportedly used by the finance department for year-end expenses. A World Bank email on it reached the media, and on instructions from K. M. Abraham, chief principal secretary to the CM, Ashok was asked to find the source; per TOI his report found no agriculture official had shared it and suggested the leak was 'probably from the CMO itself'. Soon afterwards he was moved to KTDFC. When the CAT stayed that order on 9 September, the government issued a fresh order on 15 September moving him to Personnel and Administrative Reforms.

   Up against

   K. M. Abraham, Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Chief Minister's Office, Kerala Government: CPI(M)-led LDF (Pinarayi Vijayan, CM).

   Reported reason

   TOI: the transfer 'came amid a dispute' between the agriculture and finance departments and 'soon after' his report. No official link.

   The officer said

   Not quoted; TOI reported he would not take charge and would challenge it.

   The other side said

   GAD official on the 15 Sept order: 'If the tribunal rules in favour of Ashok, this order will be cancelled. The Chief Secretary sought legal opinion before this order was issued.' The state asked the CAT to vacate the stay.

   Outcome

   On 16 Sept 2025 the CAT (Justice Sunil Thomas and V. Rama Mathew) kept the stay and deferred the 15 Sept order, calling it improper.

   What became of the matter

   Pending. Final CAT outcome after the 22 Sept 2025 hearing not found. What became of the leak inquiry report is not public. Onmanorama, Sep 2025

   • Judgment CAT Ernakulam bench (Justice Sunil Thomas, V. Rama Mathew), order in B. Ashok's OA against the KTDFC transfer, Sep 2025

     Issuing such an order, without the leave of the tribunal when the matter was pending before the CAT and is under a stay, which virtually may have the propensity of bypassing the order, is not appreciated by us.

   The Times of India, Aug 2025 · Onmanorama, Aug 2025 · Onmanorama, Sep 2025 · Onmanorama, Sep 2025