IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 21.11.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN

1. S.Mathiyan

2. C.Annamalai ...Petitioners

-Vs-

1. State of Tamil Nadu

Represented By Its Principal Secretary to Government, Environment, Climate Change and Forest Department,

Fort St. George, Secretariat,

Chennai- 600 009.

2. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests,

Head of Forest Force,

Velacherry Main Road, Guindy,

Chennai- 600 032. ... Respondents

Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to regularize the service of the petitioners as Forest watcher from 24.01.1995 notionally for the purpose of getting pension by taking into account their seniority and qualification, on par with their juniors in the light of the orders passed by this Hon’ble Court in W.P.No.21349 of 2023 dated 02.08.2023 and confer all

consequential pensionary benefits.

For Petitioners : Mr.S.Elayathamizhan

For Respondents : Mr.C.Selvaraj

Additional Government Pleader

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed for direction directing the respondents to regularize the service of the petitioners as Forest watcher from 24.01.1995 notionally for the purpose of getting pension by taking into account their seniority and qualification, on par with their juniors in the light of the orders passed by this Hon’ble Court in W.P.No.21349 of 2023 dated 02.08.2023 and confer all consequential pensionary benefits.

2. Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.

3. In similar matters, this Court considered the similar request in W.P.Nos.21349 of 2023 and batch dated 03.08.2023 and held as follows:-

“7. Admittedly, the grievance of the writ petitioner is that he is seeking regularization of service for pensionary benefits. It is the contention of the writ petitioners that similarly persons have been given such benefits as per Government Orders in G.O.Ms.No.95, Environment and Forest Department, dated 07.08.2009, G.O (2D) No. 08 Environment Climate Change And Forests (FR.2ii) Department dated 09.01.2023 and G.O. [2D] No.9, dated 08.02.2022. Based on the Orders of this Court in W.A.No.2072 of 2018, dated 11.08.2021, the Government has issued the Government Order in G.O (2D) No. 08 Environment Climate Change And Forests (FR.2ii) Department dated 09.01.2023. As per the above Government Orders, the relief has been extended to similarly placed persons. Hence, the respondents are directed to consider the case of the petitioners in the light the above Government Orders, as the benefit has been extended to similarly placed person. In fact the plot watchers are frontline soldiers in forest and they are main protectors of the forest. These facts cannot be disputed by any one. Hence, while passing the Orders, the Government shall take into consideration the nature of service rendered by the petitioners and also the fact that when similarly placed persons have already been granted the relief, if the petitioners are not granted such relief, the same is nothing but discrimination and it violates Article 14 of Constitution of India. In such view of the matter, the respondent shall extend the benefits as per above Government Orders as it is extended to similarly situated persons. ......”

4. In view of the above, the respondents are directed to pass appropriate orders in the light of the above order passed in W.P.Nos.21349 of 2023 and batch dated 03.08.2023 as the benefits have been extended to similarly placed persons, within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

5. With the above directions, this writ petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

21.11.2025 (½)

Internet: Yes Index : Yes/No Speaking/Non Speaking order mn G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN. J, mn To

1. The Principal Secretary to Government, State of Tamil Nadu, Environment, Climate Change and Forest Department, Fort St. George, Secretariat, Chennai- 600 009.

2.