Heard Mr.K.Venkatramani, learned Senior Counsel leading Mr.V.Chockalingam, counsel appearing for the petitioners and Mr.K.Rajasekar, learned Government Advocate (Forest), taking notice for respondents and perused the records.

2. The first writ petitioner is the Forest Guard working under the Kulasekaran Range, Kanyakumari District. The second and third writ petitioners are the Forest Watchers and the fourth writ petitioner is a Forester. All the four writ petitioners challenge the order in G.O.(D) No.64 Environment & Forest Department, dated 19.03.2008 as well as the charge memo, dated 30.7.2008.

3. The charge memos were framed under Rule 17(b) of the Tamil Nadu Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules. The charge against the four petitioners was that they took one watcher by name Rajendran, who was working in Keeriparai Division belonging to the Tamil Nadu Rubber Corporation, on the night of 211. 2003 under the leadership of a Forest Ranger of Azhagiyapandiapuram Range by name Sobidaraj and brought him from his colony. Since he refused to come along with them, they forced him to go with them. The said watchman was found dead on 211. 2003.

4. The matter was taken u