K.Kulanthaivel v. Government Of Tamil Nadu
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 27.11.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN K.Kulanthaivel
...Petitioner
-Vs1. The Government of Tamil Nadu Rep. by its Additional Chief Secretary, Environment and Forest Department, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.
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 the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to regularise the service of the petitioner as Forest Watcher from 24.01.1995 notionally for purpose of getting enhanced pension by taking into account his seniority and qualification, on par with their junior K.Subramani, seniority No.4988 and in the light of the order passed in W.P.No.15561 of 2006 dated 10.03.2008, W.A.No.690 of 2008 dated 13.10.2009, W.P.No.23374 of 2008 dated 31.10.2009, W.A.No.607 of 2010 dated 29.03.2010 and proceedings of the 2nd respondent dated 07.01.2011 and order in W.P.No.19020 of 2021 dated 09.09.2021 and in the light of G.O. (2D)No.122, Environment, Climate, Change and Forest (FR.2(ii))
Department dated 12.08.2022 and G.O.(2D).No.124 Environment, Climate Change and Forests (FR.2ii) Department dated 17.08.2022 and order in W.P.No.18476 of 2023 etc. batch dated 03.08.2023 and order in W.P.No.18796 & etc. batch of 2024 dated 09.07.2024 and order in W.P.No.40056 of 2025 dated 25.10.2025.
For Petitioner : Mr.S.Mani For Respondents : Mr.M.S.Prem Kumar Government Advocate
ORDER
This writ petition has been filed for direction directing the respondents to regularise the service of the petitioner as Forest Watcher from 24.01.1995 notionally for purpose of getting enhanced pension by taking into account his seniority and qualification, on par with his junior. 2.
Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials placed before this Court. 3.
The similar matter has already been dealt with by this Court in W.P.No.21349 of 2023 etc., batch cases by an order dated 27.03.2024, and the relevant portion is extracted hereunder :- "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 order, 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.
With the above directions, all the Writ Petitions stand allowed. There shall be no order as to costs. 27.11.2025 Index : Yes/No : Yes/No Speaking/Non Speaking order rts
To
1. The Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, Environment and Forest Department, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.
2. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, (Head of Forest Force), Velachery Main Road, Guindy, Chennai - 32.
G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN. J, rts 27.11.2025