R.Ragul v. The State Of Tamilnadu
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 17.12.2025 CORAM :
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M. DHANDAPANI 1.R.Ragul 2.S.Durai 3.D.Selvaraj
...Petitioners
Vs.
1.The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. By the Principal Secretary to Government, Environment, Climate Change and Forests Department, Fort St.George, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.
2.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Head of Forest Force, Guindy-Velacherry Main Road, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.
3.The Chief Conservator Forests, Research, SFRI, State Forest Research Institute Division, Kolapakkam, Chennai - 638 602.
4.The Deputy Conservator of Forests, Dharmapuri Modern Nursery Division, Dharmapuri - 5, Dharmapuri District.
...Respondents
Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for Page No.1 of 6
issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to regularize the service of the petitioners as Office Assistant and Lab Assistant/Plot Watchers respectively in the time scale of pay from the date of their appointment with all consequential service benefits based on the recommendation of the 4th respondent dated 28.04.2022 and 14.06.2022.
For Petitioners : Mr.M.R.Jothimanian For Respondents : Mr.C.Selvaraj, Additional Government Pleader
ORDER
This writ petition is filed to direct the respondents to regularize the service of the petitioners as Office Assistant and Lab Assistant/Plot Watchers respectively in the time scale of pay from the date of their appointment with all consequential service benefits based on the recommendation of the 4th respondent dated 28.04.2022 and 14.06.2022.
2. By consent of both the parties, this writ petition is taken up for final hearing at the stage of admission itself.
3. The case of the petitioners is that they were appointed as Office Assistant and Lab Helper/Plot Watchers on 01.07.2009, 19.09.2008 and 01.03.2014 in the fourth respondent Modern Nursery Division and working as Office Assistant. Under these circumstances, the second respondent issued a Page No.2 of 6
proceedings vide Ref.No.LL2/6979/2022, dated 08.03.2022, directed all Forest Officers to submit details of persons working in forest department on temporary basis with more than 10 years of service. Accordingly, the fourth respondent recommended the names of the petitioners to the third respondent for regularization and also to include their names in the statewide seniority list, who in turn forwarded the recommendation to the second respondent. Without considering the same, the second respondent kept the same as pending. Therefore, the petitioners herein sent various representations dated 01.07.2024, 03.12.2024 & 02.06.2025 respectively to the respondents, seeking regularization of their service. However, the said representations was not considered, as on date. Hence, the petitioners have come forward with the present writ petition.
4. Though very many grounds have been raised in this writ petition, learned counsel for the petitioners submits that it would suffice, if this Court, issues a direction to the respondents to consider the petitioners' representations dated 01.07.2024, 03.12.2024 & 02.06.2025, as expeditiously as possible.
5. Learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents submits that, the petitioners' representations dated 01.07.2024, 03.12.2024 & 02.06.2025 will be considered and appropriate orders will be passed within a time frame that may be stipulated by this Court. Page No.3 of 6
6. Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.
7. Considering the limited relief sought by the learned counsel for the petitioners, this Court, without going into the merits of the case, directs the respondents to consider the petitioners' representations dated 01.07.2024, 03.12.2024 & 02.06.2025 and pass appropriate orders, on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
8. With the above direction, this Writ Petition stand disposed of. No costs. 17.12.2025 vm Index : Yes / No Speaking order : Yes / No NCC : Yes / No Page No.4 of 6
To 1.The Principal Secretary to Government, Environment, Climate Change and Forests Department, Fort St.George, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.
2.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Head of Forest Force, Guindy-Velacherry Main Road, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.
3.The Chief Conservator Forests, Research, SFRI, State Forest Research Institute Division, Kolapakkam, Chennai - 638 602.
4.The Deputy Conservator of Forests, Dharmapuri Modern Nursery Division, Dharmapuri - 5, Dharmapuri District.
Page No.5 of 6
M.DHANDAPANI, J.
vm 17.12.2025 Page No.6 of 6