P.Govindaraj v. The State Of Tamilnadu
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 27.10.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN W.P.No.31509 of 2025 and WMP.No.35277 of 2025 1.P.Govindaraj 2.N.Ravi ... Petitioners Vs.
1.The State of Tamilnadu Rep. By its Additional Chief Secretary of Forests, Environment, Climate Change and Forest Department, Fort St., George, Chennai-600 009.
2.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, (Head of Forest Force), Guindy-Velachery Main Road, Kannigapuram, Chennai-600 032.
... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the entire records which culminated in issuing the Letter in Na.Ka.No.AB1/34618/2020 dated 17.10.2023 of the second respondent and to quash the same with consequential direction to the respondents to include the petitioner's names in the panel for the year 2011-2012 for promotion to the post of Forester on par with their juniors (i.e.,) 1/6
13.04.2013 in the light of the order passed by this Court in W.P.No.40881 of 2016 dated 22.11.2016 same was affirmed by Division Bench in W.A.No.2682 of 2019 dated 07.07.2021 and same was confirmed by the Supreme Court S.L.P.(civil) Diary No.(s).27674 of 2022 dated 26.09.2022 and same was followed single judge in W.P.No.2584 of 2024 dated 06.02.2024 and W.P.No.7526 of 2025 dated 28.04.2025 with all consequential service and monetary benefits. For Petitioners : M/s.K.Jenitha For Respondents : Mr.V.Veluchamy, Additional Government Pleader
O R D E R
This writ petition has been filed challenging the letter in Na.Ka.No.AB1/34618/2020 dated 17.10.2023 of the second respondent
2. The case of the petitioners is that the petitioners' names were not included in the promotion panel for the year 2011-2012. It is submitted by both sides that for similarly situated persons, the same has been implemented and the SLP filed against the said order has also been dismissed.
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3. It is relevant to note that this Court in an identical case in W.P.No.40881 of 2016 by an order dated 22.11.2016 has held that the petitioners have not been deputed to Vagai Dam Training for a long time and if the department fails to post them at a particular place for training, the employee could not be blamed for the same and hence, directed the respondents to include the name of the petitioner in the panel for the year 2011-2012 and promote them as Foresters from the date on which their juniors were promoted on notional basis. The appeal filed against the said order in W.A.No.2682 of 2019 has been dismissed by the Division Bench of this Court by an order dated 07.07.2021. In such view of the matter, the benefit of the above order has to be extended to the petitioners and the impugned order has to be quashed.
5. Accordingly, the impugned order dated 17.10.2023 is quashed and the respondents are directed to include the names of the petitioners in the panel for the year 2011-2012 and promote them as Forester from the date on which their juniors were promoted on notional basis within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of copy of the order. 3/6
6. With the above direction, this writ petition is allowed. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. No costs. 27.10.2025 (2/2) Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order lok 4/6
To 1.The State of Tamilnadu Rep. By its Additional Chief Secretary of Forests, Environment, Climate Change and Forest Department, Fort St., George, Chennai-600 009.
2.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, (Head of Forest Force), Guindy-Velachery Main Road, Kannigapuram, Chennai-600 032 5/6
G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN, J.
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