IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 25.11.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN

W.P.No.45876 of 2025 and

WMP.no.51134 of 2025

A.Ramasamy ...Petitioner

-Vs-

1.THE STATE OF TAMILNADU,

REP BY ITS ADDITIONAL CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT,

ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOREST

DEPARTMENT, FORT ST.GEORGE, CHENNAI-9

2.THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST,

(HEAD OF FOREST FORCE), FOREST HEADQUARTERS

BUILDING, VELACHERY MAIN ROAD,

GUINDY, CHENNAI-32 ... Respondents

Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records in G.O.(2D) No.99, Environment, Climate change and Forest (FR.2.ii) Department dated 08.05.2023 on the file of the 1st respondent and to quash the same and consequently directing the respondents to regularize the petitioner’s service in the cadre post of Forest watcher for the purpose of getting pension by giving relaxation in respect of height on

par with his junior K.Annadurai, S.No.4686 with effect from 24.1.1995 in the light of the order passed in WP No.9708 of 2014 dated 12.9.2014 same was confirmed by the Division Bench in W.A.No.1703 of 2014 dated 20.1.2015 , W.A.No.1838 and 1839 of 2018 dated 11.8.2021 and implementation order passed by the 1st respondent in G.O.(2D)No.28, Environment, Climate Change and Forest(FR.2(ii) Department dated 5.3.2024 and in the light of the order passed in W.P.No.34270 of 2023 dated 23.1.2024 with all consequential benefits For Petitioner : M/s.K.Jenitha For Respondents : Dr.T.Seenivasan, Special Government Pleader

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed challenging the order passed in G.O.(2D) No.99, Environment, Climate change and Forest (FR.2.ii) Department dated 08.05.2023 on the file of the 1st respondent and to direct the respondents to regularize the petitioner’s service in the cadre post of Forest watcher for the purpose of getting pension by giving relaxation in respect of height on par with his junior K.Annadurai, S.No.4686 with effect from 24.1.1995 in the light of the order passed in WP No.9708 of 2014 dated 12.9.2014 same was confirmed by the Division Bench in W.A.No.1703 of 2014 dated 20.1.2015 , W.A.No.1838 and 1839 of 2018 dated 11.8.2021 and implementation order passed by the 1st respondent in G.O.(2D)No.28, Environment, Climate Change and Forest(FR.2(ii) Department dated 5.3.2024 and in the light of the order passed in W.P.No.34270 of 2023 dated 23.1.2024 with all consequential benefits.

2. The petitioner was appointed as Plot Watcher in Social Forestry Divisions on daily wages basis and his name was included in the statewide seniority list. While being so, the Plot Watchers / Social Forestry Workers were appointed in the regular post of Forest Watcher and Mali irrespective of any physical measurements and without following any seniority. In the year 2006, G.O(2D) No.56, Environment and Forest Department dated 06.09.2006 was passed relaxing the rule of height. According to the petitioner, similarly placed persons had filed writ petitions before this Court for appointment in the post of Forest Watcher on par with the juniors by giving benefit of height relaxation. Those writ petitions were allowed by this Court and the respondents also complied with the directions issued by this Court. Therefore, petitioner submitted representation before the respondents. However, the respondents have rejected the petitioner’s claim by passing the impugned order. Hence, this writ petition.

3. This issue was already dealt with by this Court in WP.No.34270 of 2023 and this Court by order dated 23.01.2024, quashed the order impugned in that writ petition and directed the respondents therein to consider the representation of that petitioner in the light of the order passed in WP.No.21349 of 2023 and batch dated 03.08.2023. The relevant portion of the order is extracted hereunder:

“5. In similar matters, this Court considered the similar request in W.P.Nos.21349 of 20