L.Mani v. Government Of Tamilnadu
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 19.11.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN and W.M.P.No.50142 of 2025 L.Mani
...Petitioner
-Vs1. Government of Tamil Nadu, represented by its Principal Secretary to Government, Environment, Climate Change and Forest Department, Fort St.George, Chennai-600009.
2. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, (Head of Forest Force), Velachery Main Road, Guindy, Chennai-32.
... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, call for the records in G.O.(2D) NO.22, ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND FORESTS (FR.2 (II) DEPARTMENT DATED 23.11.2021 and quash the same in so far as prospective regularization of the petitioner service with effect from 08.03.1999 is concerned and further direction directing the respondents to give notional regularization to the petitioner as Forest watcher with effect from 24.01.1995 instead of 08.03.1999 for purpose of getting revised pension on par with juniors same was done in similarly placed persons in G.O.(2D) No.177 Environment,
Climate change and Forests (FR.2. II) department dated 14.11.2022 and order in W.P.Nos.20800 and 20802 of 2024 dated 24.07.2024 and order in W.P.No.9024 of 2025 dated 07.04.2025 within time limit to be stipulated by this Hon'ble Court.
For Petitioner : Mr.S.Mani For Respondents : Dr.T.Seenivasan Special Government Pleader
ORDER
This writ petition has been filed challenging the Government order in G.O.(2D) NO.22, Environment, Climate Change and forests (FR.2 (II) Department dated 23.11.2021 and further, directing the respondents to give notional regularization to the petitioner as Forest watcher with effect from 24.01.1995 instead of 08.03.1999 for purpose of getting revised pension on par with juniors same was done in similarly placed persons in G.O.(2D) No.177 Environment, Climate change and Forests (FR.2. II) department dated 14.11.2022 and order in W.P.Nos.20800 and 20802 of 2024 dated 24.07.2024 and order in W.P.No.9024 of 2025 dated 07.04.2025 within time limit to be stipulated by this Hon'ble Court.
2. Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.
3. In similar matters, this Court considered the similar request in W.P.Nos.21349 of 2023 and batch dated 03.08.2023 and held as follows:- "7. Admittedly, the grievance of the writ petitioner is that he is seeking regularization of service for pensionary benefits. It is the contention of the writ petitioners that similarly persons have been given such benefits as per Government Orders in G.O.Ms.No.95, Environment and Forest Department, dated 07.08.2009, G.O (2D) No. 08 Environment Climate Change And Forests (FR.2ii) Department dated 09.01.2023 and G.O. [2D] No.9, dated 08.02.2022. Based on the Orders of this Court in W.A.No.2072 of 2018, dated 11.08.2021, the Government has issued the Government Order in G.O (2D) No. 08 Environment Climate Change And Forests (FR.2ii) Department dated 09.01.2023.
As per the above Government Orders, the relief has been extended to similarly placed persons. Hence, the respondents are directed to consider the case of the petitioners in the light the above Government Orders, as the benefit has been extended to similarly placed person. In fact the plot watchers are frontline soldiers in forest and they are main protectors of the forest. These facts cannot be disputed by any one.
already been granted the relief, if the petitioners are not granted such relief, the same is nothing but discrimination and it violates Article 14 of Constitution of India. In such view of the matter, the respondent shall extend the benefits as per above Government Orders as it is extended to similarly situated persons. ......"
4. In view of the above, the impugned order cannot be sustained and is liable to be quashed. Accordingly, G.O.(2D) No.22, Environment, Climate Change and forests (FR.2 (II) Department dated 23.11.2021 on the file of the first respondent, is hereby quashed. The respondents are directed to pass appropriate orders in the light of the above order passed in W.P.Nos.21349 of 2023 and batch dated 03.08.2023 as the benefits have been extended to similarly placed persons, within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
5. Accordingly, this writ petition is allowed. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous petition is closed. There shall be no order as to costs. 19.11.2025 Internet: Yes Index : Yes/No Speaking/Non Speaking order mn
To
1. The Principal Secretary to Government, Government of Tamil Nadu, Environment, Climate Change and Forest Department, Fort St.George, Chennai-600009.
2. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, (Head of Forest Force), Velachery Main Road, Guindy, Chennai-32.
G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN. J, mn 19.11.2025