The petition challenged CAT’s interim order of November 13, 2023, which barred Kerala government from making any IAS cadre transfer or posting without civil services board's (CSB) prior recommendation, as required under the 2014 amendments to IAS cadre rules following Supreme Court's TSR Subramanian judgment.

The affidavit, sworn on behalf of state by chief secretary, additional chief secretary (personnel and administrative reforms, also ex-officio member secretary of CSB), additional chief secretary (local self-govt) and additional chief secretary (general administration, AIS-C), brands the CAT directive "an error both in law and in fact."