IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 16.12.2025 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI

1 A.LOURDUSAMY

2 P.RAMAKRISHNAN 3 D.KATHAVARAYAN

4 A.PANDURANGAN

5 J.RAJENDRAN 6 I.VEDIAPPAN

7 K.RAMALINGAM ... 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:

Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a 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 regularized on par with juniors only now) and in the light of order passed by our Honourable High Court 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 with dated 23.01.2024 by considering the representation dated 05.08.2024 and 04.06.2024 (1st petitioner) in time limit to be stipulated by this Hon’ble Court.

For Petitioners : Mr.S.Mani For Respondents : Mr.C.Selvaraj Additional Government Pleader

O R D E R

Mr.C.Selvaraj, learned Additional Government Pleader takes notice on behalf of the respondents. By consent, the writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

2.The petitioners have filed this writ petition seeking issuance of 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 and in the light of orders passed by this Court in W.P.No.15726 of 2016 dated 28.04.2016; W.P.No.30735 of 2019 dated 30.10.2019; and W.P.No.1229 of 2024 dated 23.01.2024, by considering their representations dated 05.08.2024 and 04.06.2024.

3.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners were originally appointed as Plot Watcher on daily wage basis and after rendering 28 years of service on daily wage basis, their services were regularized in the cadre post of Forest Watcher. The petitioners were given notional regularization in the cadre of Forest Watchers on par with their juniors with effect from 24.01.1995 and their seniority was also re-fixed placing them over and above their juniors. The learned counsel further submitted that the petitioners are entitled to be promoted to the next promotional post of Forest Guard on par with the juniors and hence, they made representation seeking to confer them notional promotion in the post of Forest Guard on par with juniors with effect from 31.05.2004, however, there is no response.

4.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that this Court may without going into the merits of the case, issue direction to the first respondent to consider the petitioners representations dated 05.08.2024 and 04.06.2024 and to pass appropriate orders, within a reasonable time frame.

5.Considering the limited relief now sought for by the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners, this Court, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, directs the first respondent to consider the petitioners representations dated 05.08.2024 and 04.06.2024, on merits and in accordance with law and to pass appropriate orders, within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

6.The writ petition is disposed of. No costs.

16.12.2025 pri Index: Yes/ No Speaking Order: Yes/ No NCC: Yes/ No To

1. 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,