D.Kalidoss v. The District Forest Officer

Order The writ petition has been filed to issue a writ of certiorarified mandamus calling for the records on the file of the 2nd respondent herein in proceedings Na.Ka.No.285/ 2026 dated 27.06.2026 issued by the 2nd respondent herein quash the same and to issue direction to the respondents herein to keep the disciplinary proceedings initiated against the Petitioner vide charge memo issued by the 1st respondent in Memo No. 11/ 2025/ P1 dated 26.08.2025 in abeyance till the disposal of the criminal case in Spl C.C. No. 26 of 2026 pending on the file of the Principal district and Sessions Judge, Tiruvannamalai.

¶2When the matter is taken up for hearing, it is brought to the notice of this Court that the very same issue involved in this writ petition has been dealt by this Court in writ appeal in W.A.No.137 of 2026 and an interim order dated 28.01.2026 has been passed by this Court, wherein, it is observed as follows: Page3 of 6 a) The departmental enquiry as initiated by the disciplinary authority by appointing a second enquiry officer, who already issued a summon in this regard to commence the enquiry, can proceed. b) The appellant / writ petitioner shall give full cooperation for the conduction and completion of enquiry. c) The enquiry shall be completed as early as possible preferably within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. d) However, the enquiry officer shall keep the enquiry officer's report in a sealed cover and whenever it is called for by this Court, the same shall be produced for further action. e) The disciplinary proceedings by way of enquiry as well as this order would no way prejudice the right of the writ petitioner / appellant to take whatever defence he wants to take before the criminal court in the pending trial and it is also not an impediment for the criminal Page4 of 6 Court to proceed with the trial according to their schedule. Post this writ appeal for final hearing in the usual course. The aforesaid interim order dated 28.01.2026 applies to the case in hand.

¶3Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of with the following directions: a) The departmental enquiry as initiated by the disciplinary authority by appointing a second enquiry officer, who already issued a charge memo in this regard to commence the enquiry, can proceed; b) The writ petitioner shall give full cooperation for the completion of enquiry; c) The enquiry shall be completed as early as possible preferably within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order; Page5 of 6 d) However, the enquiry officer shall keep the enquiry officer's report in a sealed cover and whenever it is called for by this Court, the same shall be produced for further action; e) The disciplinary proceedings by way of enquiry as well as this order would no way prejudice the right of the writ petitioner to take whatever defence he want to take before the criminal court in the pending trial and it is also not an impediment for the criminal Court to proceed with the trial according to their schedule; f) Connected miscellaneous petition is closed. There shall be no order as to costs; h) It is needless to state that the writ petition is subject to the result of the writ appeal in W.A.No.137 of 2026. 13-07-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order SRN

¶1The District Forest Officer Tiruvannamalai district Tiruvannamalai

¶2The Forest Range officer Chengam Range, Tiruvannamalai Division, Tiruvannamalai WPoNo.o26573oofo2026 P.T.ASHAoJ. SRN WPoNo.o26573oofo2026 AND WMPoNO.o29073oOFo2026 13-07-2026 Page6oofo6

Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 13-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA AND WMP NO. 29073 OF 2026 D.Kalidoss ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The District Forest Officer Tiruvannamalai district Tiruvannamalai 2. The Forest Range officer Chengam Range, Tiruvannamalai Division, Tiruvannamalai ..Respondent(s) PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a writ of certiorarified mandamus calling for the records on the file of the 2nd respondent herein in proceedings Na.Ka.No. 285/ 2026 dated 27.06.2026 issued by the 2nd respondent herein quash the same and to issue directions to the respondent herein to keep the disciplinary proceedings initiated against the Petitioner vide charge memo issued by the 1st respondent in Memo No. 11/ 2025/ P1 dated 26.08.2025 in abeyance till the disposal of the criminal case in Spl C.C. No. 26 of 2026 pending on the file of the Principal district and Sessions Judge, Tiruvannamalai. Page2 of 6 For Petitioner(s): Mr.P.Ezhil Nilavan For Respondent(s): Mr.L.Gokulraj Government Advocate