K.Madhavan v. Government of Tamilnadu

Order This writ petition has been filed for the following relief:- "To issue a writ of mandamus directing respondents to regularise the service of petitioner as forest watcher from

24.01.1995 notionally for purpose of getting pension by taking into account their seniority and qualification on par with the Junior K.Karunanidhi and in the light of the orders passed in WP.No. 15561 of 2006 dated 10.03.2008, W.A.No. 690 of 2008 Page3 of 7 dated 13.10.2009 WP.No. 23374 of 2008 dated 30.10.2009 WA.No.607 of 2010 dated 29.03.2010 and proceedings of the 2nd respondent dated 07.01.2011 and order in WP.No. 19020 of 2021 dated 09.09.2021 and in the light of G.O. (2D) No. 122 Environment, Climate Change and Forest (FR . 2(ii) department dated 12.08.2022 and G.O. (2D) No. 124 Environment, Climate Change and Forest (FR . 2(ii) department dated 17.08.2022 and order in WP.No. 18476 of 2023 etc. batch dated 9.7.2024 and G.O.(2D) No.65 Environment climate change and Forests(FR.2(ii) Department dated 21.4.2025 and order in WP.No. 40056 of 2025 dated 25.10.2025."

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

¶3In similar matters, this Court considered the similar request in W.P.Nos.21349 of 2023 and etc., batch dated 03.08.2023 and held as follows:- Page4 of 7 "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 Page5 of 7 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. ......"

¶4The learned Government Advocate has relied upon the judgment of the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court in W.A.No.1981 of 2026, dated 20.07.2026, to counter the submissions of the learned counsel for the petitioners. However, the issue involved in the said judgment pertains to the promotion of regularized Plot Watchers to the post of Forester. Therefore, the judgment relied upon by the learned Government Advocate is not applicable to the facts and circumstances of the present case. Page6 of 7

¶5In view of the above, the respondents are directed to pass appropriate orders on the petitioners' representations, in the light of the above order passed in WP.Nos.21349 of 2023 and batch dated 03.08.2023 as the same benefits have been extended to similarly placed persons, within a period of 8 weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

¶6With the above directions, these Writ Petitions are disposed of. No costs. 27-07-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order SRN To

¶1The Additional Chief Secretary Government of Tamilnadu Environment and Forest Department Fort St.George, Chennai-600 009

¶2The principal chief Conservator of forest (Head of Forest force) Velachery Main Road Guindy,Chennai-32 Page7 of 7 P.T.ASHA J. SRN 27-07-2026

Page1 of 7 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 27-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA 1. K.Madhavan 2. P.Ellappan 3. K.Karuppaiah 4. A.Murugan ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. Government of Tamilnadu Rep by it Additional Chief Secretary Environment and Forest Department Fort St.George, Chennai-600 009 2. The principal chief Conservator of forest (Head of Forest force) Velachery Main Road Guindy Chennai-32 ..Respondent(s) Prayer: This writ petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a writ of mandamus directing respondents to regularise the service of petitioner as forest watcher from 24.01.1995 notionally for purpose of getting pension by taking into account their seniority and qualification on par with the Junior K.Karunanidhi and in the Page2 of 7 light of the orders passed in WP.No. 15561 of 2006 dated 10.03.2008, W.A.No. 690 of 2008 dated 13.10.2009 WP.No. 23374 of 2008 dated 30.10.2009 WA.No.607 of 2010 dated 29.03.2010 and proceedings of the 2nd respondent dated 07.01.2011 and order in WP.No. 19020 of 2021 dated 09.09.2021 and in the light of G.O. (2D) No. 122 Environment, Climate Change and Forest (FR . 2(ii) department dated 12.08.2022 and G.O. (2D) No. 124 Environment, Climate Change and Forest (FR . 2(ii) department dated 17.08.2022 and order in WP.No. 18476 of 2023 etc. batch dated 9.7.2024 and G.O.(2D) No.65 Environment climate change and Forests(FR.2(ii) Department dated 21.4.2025 and order in WP.No. 40056 of 2025 dated 25.10.2025. For Petitioner(s): Mr.S.Mani For Respondent(s): Mr.AR.Balaji Government Advocate