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Madras High CourtWP/3565/2026disposed of with direction

K.Kaliappan v. Government Of Tamil Nadu,

2026-02-04Honourable Mr Justice M.Dhandapani6 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 04.02.2026

CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M. DHANDAPANI W.P. No.3565 of 2025 1.K.Kaliappan 2.S.Purusothaman 3.G.Moorthy Petitioners Vs

1. Government of Tamil Nadu Rep by its Principal Secretary to Government, Environment and Forest Department, Fort St.George, Chennai-600 009.

2.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force), Velachery Main Road, Guindy, Chennai-600 032.

Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to consider the notional promotion to the petitioners as Forest Guard on par with juniors by including their name in the panel drawn for the year 2003-2004 with effect from 31.05.2004 for purpose of getting enhanced pension (petitioner service was 1/6

regularized on par with juniors only now), and in the light of order passed by our Honorable High Court in WP. No.15726 of 2016 dated 28.04.2016 and order in W.P. No.30735 of 2019 dated 30.10.2019 and order in W.P. No.1229 of 2024 with dated 23.01.2024 and order in W.P.No.47719 of 2025 dated 15.12.2025 by considering the representation dated 06.10.2025, in the time limit to be stipulated by this Court.

For petitioners : Mr.S. Mani For respondents : Dr.T.Seenivasan, SGP

ORDER

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents to consider the notional promotion to the petitioners as Forest Guard on par with juniors by including their names in the panel drawn for the year 2003-2004 with effect from 31.05.2004 for the purpose of getting enhanced pension (petitioners service were regularized on par with juniors only now), and in the light of the orders passed by this Court in WP. No.15726 of 2016 dated 28.04.2016; W.P. No.30735 of 2019 dated 30.10.2019; W.P. No.1229 of 2024 dated 23.01.2024; and W.P.No.47719 of 2025 dated 15.12.2025, by considering the representation of the petitioners dated 06.10.2025, within the time limit as fixed by this Court. 2/6

2. Dr.T.Seenivasan, learned Special Government Pleader takes notice on behalf of the respondents. With the consent of both parties, the Writ Petition is taken up for hearing today, at the admission stage itself.

3. The case of the petitioners is that they joined as Plot Watcher on daily wage basis in the respondent Department in the year 1982. The names of the petitioners were included in the State Wide Seniority List drawn in the year 1994. The services of the petitioners were regularized in the cadre of Forest Watcher notionally based on the directions issued by this Court in W.P. Nos.5936, 22781 & 22755 of 2014 and notional regularization was given effect from 24.01.1995. It is the grievance of the petitioners that even though the services of the petitioners were regularized in the cadre post of Forest Watcher, notionally, they were not promoted as Forest Guard on par with their juniors. Furthermore, the writ petitions filed by the similarly placed persons like that of the petitioners viz., W.P. Nos.

15726 of 2016, 30735 of 2019 and 1229 of 2024 were allowed by this Court on 28.04.2016, 30.10.2019 and 23.01.2024 respectively. Therefore, the petitioners made a representation on 06.10.2025 before the respondents to promote them as Forest Guard on par with their juniors, who have already been given promotion, but till date their representation was not considered. Hence the present Writ Petition.

4. The learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that it would suffice, if a direction is issued to the second respondent to dispose of the petitioners' representation dated 06.10.2025 on merits and in accordance with law.

5. Dr.T.Seenivasan, learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents submitted that there may be a direction to the respondents to consider and pass appropriate orders on the petitioners' representation dated 06.10.2025.

6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and the limited request made by the learned counsel for the petitioners and in the light of the orders passed by this Court in WP. No.15726 of 2016 dated 28.04.2016; W.P. No.30735 of 2019 dated 30.10.2019; W.P. No.1229 of 2024 dated 23.01.2024; and W.P.No.47719 of 2025 dated 15.12.2025, this Court directs the second respondent to dispose of the petitioners' representation dated 06.10.2025 on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

7. With the above direction, the Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

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8. WMP.No.3998 of 2026 filed by the petitioners to permit them to join together and file a Single Writ Petition is allowed on payment of single Court fee.

04.02.2026 Index : Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order DP To

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

2.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force), Velachery Main Road, Guindy, Chennai-600 032.

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M. DHANDAPANI, J.

DP 04.02.2026 6/6