K.Pannerselvam v. The State Of Tamil Nadu

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 17.10.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE Mr. JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA and WMP.No.43831 of 2025 1.K.Pannerselvam 2.A.Annadurai ... Petitioners Vs.

1.The State of Tamil Nadu Rep. by Its Addl. 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, Forest Headquarters Velachery Main Road, Guindy Chennai 32 3.The Divisional Forest Officer Social Forestry And Forest Extension Division, Krishnagiri

...Respondents

Prayer:- Writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a writ of Mandamus, direction to the respondent to consider the petitioners for promotion to the post of Forest Ranger Officer 1/5

in the ensuing panel without taking into account the pendency of criminal case in Spl. C.C. No. 04/ 2021 pending on the file of the CJM, Krishnagiri within time frame.

For Petitioner : Ms.K.Jenitha For Respondents : Mr.C.Selvaraj, AGP

O R D E R

This Writ petition has been filed to direct the respondents to consider the petitioners for promotion to the post of Forest Ranger Officer in the ensuing panel without taking into account the criminal case in Spl.C.C. No. 04/ 2021 pending on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Krishnagiri within a time frame.

2. Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials available on record.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioners would submit that a case has been registered against the petitioners in Spl.C.C. No. 04 of 2021, on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Krishnagiri and owing to pendency of the said criminal case, the names of the petitioners were not included in the panel for promotion to the post of Forest Range Officer for the year 2/5

2023-2024.

4.The learned counsel for the petitioners would further submit that the respondents are delaying the trial of the criminal case. The petitioners had filed an application before this Court in Crl.O.P. No. 17470 of 2023, seeking a direction to the Trial Court to complete the trial within a specified period. This Court had earlier fixed a time limit of 18 months for completion of the trial. However, the trial has not been completed within the stipulated period. In the meantime, the Trial Court sought extension of time by another six months to conclude the trial by way of filing Crl.O.P.No. 17470 of 2023 and the same was granted by this Court. Hence, the criminal case is still pending. Therefore, the petitioners are before this Court.

5. Mr.C.Selvaraj, learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents would submit that the criminal case is of the year 2021 and the case has been taken up for trial in Special CC No.4/2021, on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Krishnagiri. As on date, more than 30 witnesses have been examined and the case is at its final stage and depending on the outcome of the criminal case, their names can be included in the ensuing panel for promotion.

3/5

6. In view of the fact that the criminal case is still pending, this Court is not inclined to consider the prayer of the petitioners at this stage. Accordingly, this Writ Petition stands closed. No costs. Consequently, the connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed.

17.10.2025 Index : Yes/No Speaking Order: Yes/No (shr) To 1.The Addl. Chief Secretary to Government of Tamilnadu Environment, Climate Change and Forest Department, Fort St. George Chennai 9 2.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest & Head of Forest Force, Forest Headquarters Velachery Main Road, Guindy Chennai 32 3.The Divisional Forest Officer Social Forestry And Forest Extension Division, Krishnagiri A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA . J., (shr) 4/5

and WMP.No.43831 of 2025 17.10.2025 5/5