S.Kalaiyarasan v. The State Of Tamil Nadu

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 10.09.2025 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA W.P.No.34089 of 2025 and WMP.No.38242 of 2025

1. S.Kalaiyarasan

2. P.Shanmugam

3. V.Ravi

4. P.Arumugam

5. T.Chinnappa

6. S.Ganesan

7. T.Venkataraman

8. B.Sivanesan

9. D.Murugan ... Petitioners Vs

1. The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. By its Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Environment, Climate Change and Forest Department, Fort St. George, Chennai - 9.

2. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest & 1/6

Head of Forest Force, Joint Forest Management, Velachery Main Road, Guindy, Chennai - 32.

... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to regularize the petitioners service as Forest Watcher from 08.03.1999 notionally for the purpose of getting pension by taking into account their seniority and qualification on par with junior M.Narayanasamy (SWS.No.5372) by considering their representation dated 07.03.2025. For Petitioner :

Ms.K.Jenitha For Respondents :

Mr.S.Ravichandran Additional Government Pleader

ORDER

Mr.S.Ravichandran, learned Additional Government Pleader accepts notice on behalf of the Respondents. With consent of the learned counsels on either side, the writ petition is taken up for final disposal.

2. This Writ Petition has been filed to direct respondents to regularize the petitioners' service as Forest Watcher from 08.03.1999 notionally for the purpose of getting pension by taking into account their seniority and qualification on par with junior M.Narayanasamy 2/6

(SWS.No.5372) by considering their representation dated 07.03.2025.

3. The case of the petitioners is that initially, the petitioners joined in service as Plot Watcher and after rendering two decades of service, the petitioners were appointed as Forest Watcher in the year 2003. In the year 1994, the Government issued G.O.Ms.No.332 dated 22.12.1994 imposing a new condition that the candidates must have passed SSLC. Aggrieved over the same, an Original Application was filed. During the pendency of the said Original Application, the Government restored the earlier G.O for preparation of State wide seniority list. The petitioners were appointed as Forest Watcher in the year 2003 and their date of appointment was to be considered for the preparation of seniority list, for which, the petitioners made a representation dated 07.03.2025 to be considered in light of the aforesaid G.O. The respondents have not considered the same. Hence, this petition is filed for the above said relief.

4. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned Additional Government Pleader for the respondents. 3/6

5. Taking into consideration, the submissions made on either side and without going into the merits of the case, a direction is issued to the respondents to consider the representation of the petitioners dated 07.03.2025 and pass orders, in accordance with law, within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It is made clear that this Court has not made any observation with regard to the merits of the petitioners' claim.

6. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed. No costs. 10.09.2025 (2/2) dh Index: Yes/No Internet: Yes/No Speaking Order/Non-speaking order 4/6

To

1. The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. By its Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Environment, Climate Change and Forest Department, Fort St. George, Chennai - 9.

2. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest & Head of Forest Force, Joint Forest Management, Velachery Main Road, Guindy, Chennai - 32.

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A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA.J dh W.P.No.34089 of 2025 10.09.2025 (2/2) 6/6