IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 20.01.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI And W.M.P.No.10999 of 2024

1 K.KALIMUTHU 2 S.SASIKUMAR

3 A.JAISON PRADEEP KUMAR

4 M.MARIMUTHU

5 M.SENTHIL KUMAR

6 S.THIYAGO

7 V.JAYAPRAKASH ... Petitioners Vs.

1 GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU REP. BY ITS SECRETARY ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE 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 – 32.

3 A.J.JAYAKUMAR

4 A.SUBRAMANIAN

5 K.ANBALAGAN

6 M.SAMY

7 K.SIDDARAJ

8 R.CHANDRAN ... Respondents Prayer:

Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the entire records which culminated in issuing the in proceedings No.AB1/26103/2017 dated 09.08.2017 passed by the second respondent, and consequential Ref. No.AB1/26103/2017 order passed by the same respondent by order dated 16.08.2017 forester panel for the year 2015-2016 and quash the same in so far as the respondents 3 to 8 is concerned and consequently directing respondents to re-drawn the panel for the year 2015 – 2016 as per intimated vacancy issued by the second respondent by way of format proceeding Nil dated nil and include the petitioner name for above said panel by way of getting notional promotion for the post of forester enhanced salary on par with other persons and confer all consequential pensionary benefits.

For Petitioners : Mr.S.Mani For Respondents : Mr.C.Selvaraj for R1 and R2 Additional Government Pleader R3 & R4 – No Appearance

O R D E R

The petitioners have filed this writ petition seeking issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the entire records which culminated in issuing proceedings No.AB1/26103/2017 dated 09.08.2017 passed by the second respondent, and consequential Ref.

No.AB1/26103/2017 order passed by the same respondent by order dated 16.08.2017 forester panel for the year 2015-2016 and quash the same in so far as the respondents 3 to 8 is concerned and consequently directing respondents to re-draw the panel for the year 2015 – 2016 as per intimated vacancy issued by the second respondent by way of format proceeding Nil dated nil and include the petitioner’s name for above said panel by way of getting notional promotion for the post of forester enhanced salary on par with other persons and confer all consequential pensionary benefits.

2.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners were appointed to the post of Forest Guard cum Driving License during July, 2007 and August, 2007 and were promoted as Forester on 12.10.2020. The grievance of the petitioners is that the petitioners are eligible to get promotion in the Forester panel for the year 2015 – 2016, however, their names were included only in the panel for the year 2016 – 2017.

3.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners further submitted that the official respondents in paragraph no.4 of the counter affidavit have clearly stated that as per Section 12 (2) of the Tamil Nadu Forest Subordinate Service Rules, the method of appointment for the post of Forester is as follows:

‘Direct Recruitment : 40%

Promotion among the holder of Forest Guard : 55%

Recruitment by Transfer from Ministerial Service : 4%

Promotion from the post of Assistant Draughtsman : 1%.’

4.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners further submitted that the official respondents in paragraph no.4 of the counter affidavit have further stated that pursuant to the order of the Hon’ble Division Bench of this Court dated 17.04.2018 in W.A.Nos.811 of 2011 etc., batch, the Committee had prepared the seniority list on a year to year basis from the year 2002 to 2017 by observing the rota – quota rule as directed by the Hon’ble Division Bench of this Court and the report of the Committee was submitted to the Government in Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Letter No.AB1/21033/2013, dated 18.01.2019 and 08.02.2019 and th