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Madras High CourtWP/47719/2025disposed of with direction

P. Selvaraj v. Government Of Tamilnadu

2025-12-15Honourable Mr Justice M.Dhandapani6 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 15.12.2025

CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M. DHANDAPANI

1. P. Selvaraj 2.M.Kanniappan 3.G.Lakshmi Kandan Petitioners Vs

1. Government of Tamil Nadu Rep by its Principal Secretary to Government, 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-600 032.

Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to consider the notional promotion to the petitioners as Forest Guard on par with juniors by including their name in the panel drawn for the year 2003-2004 with effect from 31.05.2004 for purpose of getting enhanced pension (petitioner service was 1/6

regularized on par with juniors only now), and in the light of order passed by our Honorable High Court in WP. No.15726 of 2016 dated 28.04.2016 and order in W.P. No.30735 of 2019 dated 30.10.2019 and order in W.P. No.1229 of 2024 with dated 23.01.2024 by considering the representation dated 04.11.2024. For petitioners : Mr.S. Mani For respondents : Mr. C. Selvaraj Addl. Govt. Pleader

ORDER

Mr.C. Selvaraj, learned Additional Government Pleader takes notice for respondents. With the consent of both the parties, the writ petition is taken up for final disposal today at the stage of admission itself.

2. This writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents to consider the notional promotion to the petitioners as Forest Guard on par with juniors by including their names in the panel drawn for the year 2003-2004 with effect from 31.05.2004 in the light of the order passed in W.P. No.15726 of 2016 dated 28.04.2016 and order in W.P. No.30735 of 2019 dated 30.10.2019 and order in W.P. No.1229 of 2024 dated 23.01.2024 by considering the representation dated 04.11.2024.

3. The case of the petitioners is that the petitioners joined as Plot Watcher on daily wage basis in the year 1978. Then statewide seniority list drawn, in which, the names of the petitioners was included. It is stated that the services of the 1st and 2nd petitioners were regularised in the cadre of Forest Watcher 2/6

notionally based on the directions issued in W.P. Nos.4021 & 4028 of 2018 and the same was allowed on 02.03.2018 and thus notional regularisation was given effect from 24.01.1995. Likewise, the services of the 3rd petitioner was regularised in the cadre of Forest Watcher notionally based on the directions issued by this Court in W.P. No.7122 of 2018 and the same was allowed on 27.03.2018 and thus notional regularisation was given effect from 24.01.1995. It is the grievance of the petitioners that even though services of the petitioners were regualrised in the cadre post of Forest Watcher, notionally, they were not promoted as Forest Guard on par with their juniors. It is the case of the petitioners that similarly placed persons like that of the petitioners have filed writ petitions viz., W.P. Nos.

15726 of 2016, 30735 of 2019 and 1229 of 2024 and the same were allowed by this Court on 28.04.2016, 30.10.2019 and 23.01.2024 respectively. Thereafter, they made representation on 04.11.2024 before the respondents to promote them as Forest Guard on par with their juniors who have already been given promotion, but till date their representation was not considered. Hence the present writ petition.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that it would suffice, if a direction is issued to the 2nd respondent to dispose of the petitioners representation dated 04.11.2024 on merits and in accordance with law.

5. Mr.C. Selvaraj, learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents submitted that the petitioners' representation, as stated supra, 3/6

will be considered by the respondents in accordance with law and appropriate directions may be issued.

6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and the limited request made by the learned counsel for the petitioners, this Court directs the 2nd respondent to dispose of the petitioners' representation dated 04.11.2024 on merits and in accordance with law and in the light of the order passed by this Court in W.P. No.15726 of 2015 dated 28.04.2016 and order in W.P. No.30735 of 2019 dated 30.10.2019 and order in W.P. No.1229 of 2024 dated 23.01.2024, within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

7. With the above direction, the writ petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently connection miscellaneous petition is closed. 15.12.2025 Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order vsi2 4/6

To

1. The Principal Secretary to Government, 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-600 032.

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M. DHANDAPANI, J.

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