The State Of Tamil Nadu v. S. Govindan

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 18-03-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE R. SURESH KUMAR AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE N.SENTHILKUMAR WA No.743 of 2026 and CMP No.7588 of 2026

1. The State of Tamil Nadu Rep. by its Principal Secretary to Government, Environment Climate Change and Forest Department, Fort St. George, Chennai-09.

2. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force), Velachery Main Road, Guindy, Chennai-32.

..Appellant(s) Vs

1. S. Govindan Forest Range Officer, Manamadurai Social Forest Range, Sivagangai Forest Division, Sivagangai District.

2. K.S.Somasekar Forest Range Officer, Harur Social Forestry and Extension Publicity Range, Social Forestry and Extension Division, Dharmapuri District.

3. K.Balakrishnan Forest Range Officer, Assistant Wildlife Warden, Tiger Project, Papanasam Eco Range, Papansasm.

4. M.Saravanan Forest Range Officer, Periyanaickenpalayam Forest Range, Periyanaickenpalayam, Coimbatore District.

5. M.P. Senthilkumar Forest Range Officer, Keelakarai Forest Range, Ramanathapuram District.

..Respondent(s) Writ Appeal filed under clause 15 of Letters Patent to set aside the order dated 25.03.2025 made in WP No.33654 of 2023 and allow the Writ Appeal. For Appellant(s):

Mr.R.Neethiperumal Government Advocate For Respondent(s):

Mr.M.R. Jothimanian (for R1,R2,R4,R5)

Judgment (Judgment of the Court was delivered by N.Senthilkumar J.) This intra court appeal has been filed challenging the order passed by the Writ Court in W.P.No.33654 of 2023 dated 25.03.2025. 2.The Writ Petition was filed by the respondents/writ petitioners, seeking grant of notional promotion to the post of Forest Range Officers on par with their juniors, who have been promoted for the year 2016-2017. The case of the appellants/respondents is that for promotion to the post of Forest Range officer for the year 2016 - 2017, the names of the respondents have been included in the panel as serial No.147, 151, 156, 173 and 179 respectively. However, they were not considered for promotion on the ground that they have not completed six years of service as Foresters as on 15.08.2016.

According to the appellants, there is shortage of four days is completion of six years of service as Foresters by the Respondents to become eligible for the promotion. 3.

duty as Foresters after promotion. Further, the writ Court has directed the appellants to grant notional promotion to the respondents as Forest Range Officers on par with their juniors, who have been promoted for the panel of year 2016 - 17, by restoring their original seniority as Foresters and grant all other service benefits, within a period of sixteen weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of that Order. Challenging the same, the present Appeal has been filed by the Government.

4.It is pertinent to note that the shortfall of four days in service occurred solely due to the delay on the part of the Department in relieving the respondents from their previous posts upon promotion. Such delay is purely administrative in nature and cannot be attributed to the respondents. Consequently, the respondents cannot be denied their rightful promotional benefits.

5.In view of the same, we do not find any merit to interfere with the order of the Writ Court. Accordingly, the present Appeal is dismissed. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed.

6.When this court dismissed the Writ Appeal, the learned Government Pleader sought time to comply the order of the writ Court. Therefore, two months time is granted to comply with the order passed in W.P.No.33654 of 2023 dated 25.03.2025, from the date of receipt of copy of this order. (R.S.K.,J.) (N.S.,J.) 18-03-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order sai To

1. S. Govindan, Forest Range Officer, Manamadurai Social Forest Range, Sivagangai Forest Division, Sivagangai District.

2. K.S. Somasekar, Forest Range Officer, Harur Social Forestry and Extension Publicity Range, Social Forestry and Extension Division, Dharmapuri District.

3. K. Balakrishnan, Forest Range Officer, Assistant Wildlife Warden, Tiger Project, Papanasam Eco Range, Papansasm.

4. M. Saravanan, Forest Range Officer, Periyanaickenpalayam Forest Range, Periyanaickenpalayam, Coimbatore District.

5. M.P. Senthilkumar, Forest Range Officer, Keelakarai Forest Range, Ramanathapuram District.

R.SURESH KUMAR J.

AND N.SENTHILKUMAR J.

sai and CMP No. 7588 of 2026 18-03-2026