Mugilnathan v. The District Forest Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 11.12.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI and WMP(MD)No.23626 of 2024 Mugilnathan

...Petitioner

Vs The District Forest Officer, Ramanathapuram Forest Division, District Forest Office, Ramanathapuram.

...Respondent

Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a writ of certiorarified mandamus to call for the records relating to the impugned suspension order of the respondent's proceedings in No. 5517/2023/E, dated 11.12.2023 and quash the same and direct the respondent to reinstate the petitioner.

For Petitioner : Mr.T.Kumar For Respondent : Mr.C.Venkatesh Kumar, Special Government Pleader 1/4

ORDER

The petitioner / a Forest Guard has been placed under suspension on 11.12.2023 and the same is challenged in this writ petition. 2.The District Forest Officer in his field inspection in the Rameshwaram Reserved Forest Bit III-A of Rameshwaram Beat II found that in Survey No.1026/21, there were two new constructions with asbestos, one incomplete brick building and three fences covered with tin sheets and they were recently constructed in Reserved Forest Bit III-A, which comes within the territorial jurisdiction of Rameshwaram Beat-II within the limit of this petitioner. Subsequently enquiry has been conducted and it was found that the Forest Guards have not patrolled the area and therefore, the petitioner has been placed under suspension vide the impugned order.

3.When this writ petition is taken up for hearing, there is no representation for the petitioner. However, a copy of the proceedings of the District Forest Officer, Ramanathapuram, dated 13.02.2025 has been produced before this court, which reveals that the suspension order has 2/4

been revoked subject to the disciplinary proceedings pending against the petitioner. It is also reported that the enquiry has been completed. 4.Since this writ petition has been filed challenging the suspension order, which has also been revoked subject to the disciplinary proceedings, this writ petition is closed with a direction to the respondents to conclude the disciplinary proceedings within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 11.12.2025 DSK To The District Forest Officer, Ramanathapuram Forest Division, District Forest Office, Ramanathapuram.

3/4

B.PUGALENDHI.J., DSK 11.12.2025 4/4