IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 22.01.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI M.Ananthakumar ... Petitioner Vs.

The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, (Head of Forest Force), Forest Head Quarters, Guindy, Chennai – 600 032. ... Respondent Prayer:

Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondent herein to grant proper seniority to the petitioner in the Civil List of the Forest Range Officers published on 19.02.2024, on par with his batch mates of the year 2017-18 who have successfully undergone the 18 months training with him at the forest academy in light of the proceedings of the Government of Tamil Nadu dated 06.03.2015 and 10.08.2016 and the proceedings of the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Director, Tamil Nadu Forest Academy, Coimbatore dated

18.08.2018 and also in light of representation made by the petitioner on 06.08.2025.

For Petitioner : Mr.N.Balamuralikrishnan For Respondent : Mr.C.Selvaraj Additional Government Pleader

O R D E R

By consent, the writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

2.The petitioner has filed this writ petition seeking issuance of Writ of Mandamus directing the respondent to grant proper seniority to the petitioner in the Civil List of the Forest Range Officers published on 19.02.2024, on par with his batch mates of the year 2017-18 who have successfully undergone 18 months training with him at the Forest Academy in light of the proceedings of the Government of Tamil Nadu dated 06.03.2015 and 10.08.2016 and the proceedings of the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Director, Tamil Nadu Forest Academy, Coimbatore dated 18.08.2018 and also in light of representation made by the petitioner on 06.08.2025.

3.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner made representation dated 06.08.2025 to the respondents seeking to grant proper seniority to the petitioner in the Civil List of the Forest Range Officers published on 19.02.2024, on par with his batch mates of the year 2017-18, however, there is no response. Hence, this Court may without going into the merits of the case, issue direction to the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 06.08.2025 and to pass appropriate orders, within a reasonable time frame.

4.Considering the limited relief now sought for by the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, this Court, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, directs the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 06.08.2025, on merits and in accordance with law and to pass appropriate orders, within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

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

22.01.2026 pri M.DHANDAPANI,J.

pri To The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, (Head of Forest Force), Forest Head Quarters, Guindy, Chennai – 600 032.

22.01.2026