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VIBHU BAKHRU, J

1. The petitioners have filed the present petitions, inter alia, seeking a direction to the respondent (Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited - hereafter ‗DFCCIL') to transfer Service agreement - cum - Bond (hereafter ‗Service Bond') of the petitioners to the other Public Sector Enterprises (hereafter ‗PSU') or Government organizations, where they are currently employed. The petitioners are, essentially, aggrieved by the action of DFCCIL in insisting on recovery of ₹6 lakhs from each of the petitioners for their failure to continue in service of DFCCIL for the minimum period of five years as stipulated in their contract of employment, and the Service Bond executed by each of the petitioners.

17. It is relevant to note that the website of DFCCIL indicates that it's a special purpose vehicle set up under the administrative control of the Ministry of Railways to undertake plant and development, mobilization of financial resources and construction, maintenance and operation of dedicated freight corridors. It is also not disputed that the railway employee is permitted to apply in response to notices issued by Government Department/Public Sector Undertakings/Autonomous Bodies that are controlled wholly or substantially by Central or State Governments. The office order issued by Railway Administration expressly indicates that a railway employee may be given four opportunities to apply for such opportunities in an year. The applications of such employees are also required to be forwarded by the General Manager in case of officers below junior administrative grade or by any other subordinate authority, to whom such powers may be delegated. Applications of officers of Junior Administrate Grade and above are to be forwarded to the Railway Board (Office orders dated 16.12.1965 and 18.05.1973).