IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 17.11.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN

and

W.M.P.Nos.49030 & 49032 of 2025

A.Moorthy ... Petitioner

-Vs-

1.The Additional Chief Secretary to Government,

Environment, Climate Change and Forest Department,

Secretariat, Fort St.George,

Chennai – 600 009.

2.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force,

Forest Head Quarters,

Near Kannikapuram Check Post, Guindy – Velachery Main Road,

Guindy – 600 032.

3.The Conservator of Forests,

Vellore Circle,

Vellore – 632 009.

4.The Assistant Conservator of Forests and Inquiry Officer,

Tirupattur Forest Division,

Tirupattu.

5.The Assistant Conservator of Forests and Inquiry Officer,

Tiruvannamalai Forest Division,

Tiruvannamalai. ... Respondents

Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records of 3^rd respondent in charge memo No.07 of 2024, dated 29.10.2024 and quash the same and issue a consequential direction to respondent to allow the petitioner to retire from service with all service and monetary benefits.

For Petitioner : Ms.T.Dharani For Respondents : Mr.C.Selvaraj Standing Counsel *****

O RDER

This Writ Petition has been filed challenging charge memo No.07 of 2024, dated 29.10.2024 and seeking a consequential direction to the respondents to allow the petitioner to retire from service with all service and monetary benefits.

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

3. While the petitioner was working as a Forest Range Officer, he was served with a charge memo dated 29.10.2024, consisting of two charges, which are as follows :-

4. On a perusal of the above charges, it is clear that the petitioner has committed very serious illegality and as such, disciplinary proceedings was rightly initiated against him. Though it is the stand of the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner that initially one enquiry officer was appointed and thereafter, another enquiry officer was appointed, however, it cannot be considered as a ground to quash the charge memo issued against the petitioner. Therefore, this Court finds no infirmity or illegality in the charge memo issued by the 2^nd respondent against the petitioner. Hence, this writ petition is liable to be dismissed.

5. Accordingly, this Writ Petition is dismissed. However, the 3^rd respondent is directed to complete the disciplinary proceedings initiated against the petitioner, within a period of six (6) months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

17.11.2025 Index : Yes/No Neutral Citation: Yes/No Speaking/Non Speaking order sp To

1.The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Environment, Climate Change and Forest Department, Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai – 600 009.

2.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, Forest Head Quarters, Near Kannikapuram Check Post, Guindy – Velachery Main Road, Guindy – 600 032.

3.The Conservator of Forests, Vellore Circle, Vellore – 632 009.

4.The Assistant Conservator of Forests and Inquiry Officer, Tirupattur Forest Division, Tirupattu.

5.The Assistant Conservator of Forests and Inquiry Officer, Tiruvannamalai Forest Division, Tiruvannamalai.

G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN. J, sp

17.11.2025