K. Venugopal v. Government Of Tamil Nadu
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 19.11.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN
1. K.Venugopal
2. K.Govindammal
3. E.Nirmala
...Petitioners
-Vs1. Government of Tamil Nadu, represented by its Additional Chief Secretary, Environment 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 Mandamus, directing the respondents to regularize the 1st, and 2nd and 3rd petitioner husband in the cadre of forest watcher for purpose of getting minimum pension/ family pension by giving relaxation in respect of height same was done similarly placed persons like petitioner namely I.Alagarasen and 4 others on 08.02.2022 with effect from 24.01.1995 and M.Karunanidhi vide G.O. (2D) Environment, Climate Change And Forests (FR.2ii) Department dated 21.04.2025 and in the light of the order passed by
this Honble High Court in WP No. 23647 of 2013 dated 12.09.2014 same was affirmed by Division Bench in W.A.No. 2072 of 2018 dated 11.08.2021 and same was implemented by the 1st respondent in G.O.(2D) No.09 Environment, Climate Change and Forest (FR.2(II) Department dated 08.02.2022 and light of order in WP Nos.21349 and etc. batch of 2023 dated 03.08.2023 and in the light of order in WP No. 34255 of 2023 dated 23.01.2024 and WP No.11913 and etc. batch of 2025 dated 03.11.2025 within a time limit that may be fixed by this Honorable Court.
For Petitioners : Mr.S.Mani For Respondents : Mr.C.Selvaraj Additional Government Pleader
ORDER
This writ petition has been filed for direction directing the respondents to regularize the petitioners' husbands' in the cadre of Forest Watcher for purpose of getting minimum pension/ family pension by giving relaxation in respect of height same was done similarly placed persons like petitioner namely I.Alagarasen and 4 others on 08.02.2022 with effect from 24.01.1995 and M.Karunanidhi vide G.O. (2D) Environment, Climate Change And Forests (FR.2ii) Department dated 21.04.2025 and in the light of the order passed by this Honble High Court in WP No.23647 of 2013 dated 12.09.2014 same was affirmed by Division Bench in W.A.No.2072 of 2018 dated 11.08.2021 and same was implemented by the first respondent in G.O.(2D) No.09 Environment,
Climate Change and Forest (FR.2(II) Department dated 08.02.2022 and light of order in WP Nos. 21349 and etc. batch of 2023 dated 03.08.2023 and in the light of order in WP No. 34255 of 2023 dated 23.01.2024 and WP No.11913 and etc. batch of 2025 dated 03.11.2025 within a time limit that may be fixed by this Honorable 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. Hence, while passing the Orders, the Government shall take into consideration the nature of service rendered by the petitioners and also the fact that when similarly placed persons have 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 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 disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.
19.11.2025 (1⁄2) Internet: Yes Index : Yes/No Speaking/Non Speaking order mn To
1. The Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, Environment 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