State Of Tamil Nadu v. M.Shanmugam

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 12.03.2026 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R. SURESH KUMAR AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N. SENTHILKUMAR C.M.P.No.576 of 2026 in W.A.Sr.No.214166 of 2025

1. The State of Tamil Nadu Rep. By its Principal Secretary to Government Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.

2. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Head of Forest Force, Velacherry Main Road Guindy, chennai - 600 032.

3. The District Forest Officer Dharmapuri Forest Division, Dharmapuri - 5 Dharmapuri District.

4. The District Forest Officer / Wild Life Warden Hosur Forest Division, Hosur Krishnagiri District.

5. The Assistant Conservator of Forest Modern Nursery Forest Division Dharmapuri, Dharmapuri District.

6. Divisional Forest Officer Social Forestry and Extension Division Krishnagiri, Krishnagiri District.

..

Petitioners Vs.

1. M.Shanmugam

2. G.Dhanapal

3. M.Mallappa

4. C.Balaji

5. D.Munikrishnappa

6. The Accountant General of Tamil Nadu Office of the Accountant General Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai - 18.

..

Respondents Prayer: Petition filed under Section 5 of the Limitation Act, to condone the delay of 589 days in filing the writ appeal against the order dated 22.09.2023 made in W.P.No.22724 of 2023. For the Petitioners :

Mr.R.Neethiperumal Government Advocate For the Respondents :

Mr.M.R.Jothimanian for R1, R4 and R5 No Appearance for R2 and R3 Mr.T.Ravikumar for R6

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by R.SURESH KUMAR, J.) This petition is filed to condone the delay of 589 days in filing W.A.Sr.No.214166 of 2025.

2. Heard Mr.R.Neethiperumal, learned Government Advocate for the petitioners, Mr.M.R.Jothimanian, learned counsel for respondents 1, 4 and 5 and Mr.T.Ravikumar, learned counsel for respondent 6. Despite notice having been served on respondents 2 and 3 and the names and addresses having been shown in the cause list, none appears for respondents 2 and 3.

3. The delay is 589 days. By virtue of this delay of 589 days, if prejudice certainly would have been caused to the respondents, it has to be compensated, therefore, if at all this petition is to be ordered, it could be ordered only on terms.

4. As a result of which, there shall be a direction to the petitioners to pay a sum of Rs.3,000/- [Rupees Three Thousand Only] as costs to respondents 1 to 5 through the respective learned counsel appearing for respondents 1 to 5 within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

5. With this condition, the delay of 589 days in filing the writ appeal is condoned and accordingly, this petition is ordered. (R.S.K., J.) (N.S., J.) 12.03.2026 Speaking Order/Non-Speaking Order Internet:Yes/No Index:Yes/No (drm)

To:

1. The Principal Secretary to Government The State of Tamil Nadu Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.

2. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Head of Forest Force, No.1, Genies Road Panagal Maligai, Saidapet, Chennai - 15.

3. The District Forest Officer Dharmapuri Forest Division, Dharmapuri - 5 Dharmapuri District.

4. The Wildlife Warden (Formerly District Forest Officer) Hosur Forest Division Hosur, Krishnagiri District.

5. The Accountant General of Tamil Nadu Office of the Accountant General Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai - 18.

R. SURESH KUMAR, J.

AND N. SENTHILKUMAR, J.

(drm) 12.03.2026