Andhra Pradesh High Court
WP/18451/2026 of M RATHI DEVI Vs The State of Andhra Pradesh on 15 July 2026
HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3460] THURSDAY, THE 16th DAY OF JULY 2026 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY WRIT PETITION NO: 18451/2026 Between: 1. M RATHI DEVI, M.RATHI DEVI, W/O DEVENDRAPPA, AGED 38 YEARS, OCC FOREST SECTION OFFICER,
APHC010346052026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH
AT AMARAVATI
(Special Original Jurisdiction)
THURSDAY, THE 16th DAY OF JULY 2026
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY
WRIT PETITION NO: 18451/2026
Between:
1. M RATHI DEVI, M.RATHI DEVI, W/O DEVENDRAPPA, AGED 38
YEARS, OCC FOREST SECTION OFFICER, O/0 DISTRICT
FOREST OFFICER, KURNOOL KUNROOL DISTRICT.
...PETITIONER
AND
1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL
SECRETARY, ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS, SCIENCES AND
TECHNOLOGY DEPT. SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, GUNTUR
DISTRICT.522238
2. THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST AND
HEAD OF FOREST FORCE, ARANYA BHAVAN, MANGALAGIRI
GUNTUR DISTRICT- 522503
3. THE CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS, KURNOOL CIRCLE, KURNOOL.518001
4. THE DISTRICT FOREST OFFICER, KUNROOL DISTRICT.
KURNOOL.518001
5. THE DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER, SOCIAL FORESTRY
DIVISION KURNOOL .518001
6. SRI C VIJAYA BHASKAR REDDY, FOREST SECTION OFFICER, O/O FOREST RANGE OFFICER, ADONI, KUNROOL DISTRICT.
...RESPONDENT(S):
Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court may be pleased toissue a Writ, order or direction more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus, declaring the action of the respondents herein more particularly the 1st respondent herein straight in revising the and re-fixing the petitioner seniority in the cadre of Forest Section Ofifcer promoted under ST category, after 8 years from the date of promotion vide impugned Memo.No.EFS01-FRSTOFSER/153/2021- SEC.V
14455071 dated 27-1-2026 and consequential Proc. Ref.NoEFS)02- 16031/30/2021-HRD , SEC-PCCF/HR.1, dated 6-2-2026 and show cause notice dated 30-4-2026 as highly illegal, arbitrary and also in violation of Rule 24(C) of AP State and Subordinate Service Rules, 1996 and consequential the Honble court may pleased to set aside the impugned Memo. Dated 27-1-2026 and all consequential proceedings and may pass IA NO: 1 OF 2026
Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased pleased to suspend impugned Memo.No.EFS01- FRSTOFSER/153/2021-SEC.V[14455071] dated 27-1- 2026 and all consequential Proc.
Ref.NoEFS)02-
16031/30/2021-HRD,
SEC-
PCCFIHR.1,dated 6-2-2026 and notice dated 30-4-2026 and consider the petitioner case for promotion as Deputy Range Officer as per seniority , pending disposal of the writ petition and pass Counsel for the Petitioner:
1. M R TAGORE
Counsel for the Respondent(S):
1. GP FOR SERVICES I
The Court made the following:
WRIT PETITION No.18451 of 2026
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ORDER:
1. The present Writ Petition is filed questioning the action of Respondents in revising and re-fixing the seniority of the Petitioner in the cadre of Forest Section Officer (S.T category), after 08 years from the date of her promotion vide impugned memo no.EFS01- FRSTOFSER/153/2021-SEC.V(14455071), dated 27.01.2026 and consequential proceedings in Proc.Ref.No.EFS02-16031/30/2021- HRD,SEC-PCCF/HR.1, dated 06.02.2026, as illegal and arbitrary.
2. The Petitioner was appointed as Forest Beat Officer (Scheduled Tribe (for short, S.T category)) on 20.12.2008. Later, she was promoted as Forest Section Officer (S.T category) on 02.02.2018 and her services were regularized with effect from the said date vide proceedings, dated 05.07.2021. The Petitioner is now eligible for promotion to the post of Deputy Range Officer. While so, Respondent No.6 submitted objection regarding the roster point in which the Petitioner was promoted on the ground that he is entitled for promotion in the roster point in which the Petitioner was promoted and further objected that the Roster Point No.13 is meant for general category and not for S.T category.
3. Taking note of the same, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force vide proceedings, dated 06.02.2026 requested Conservator of Forests, Kurnool to issue necessary instructions to the D.F.O, Kurnool for necessary action with respect to retrospective promotion and seniority for Respondent No.6 in the cadre of F.S.O with effect from 02.02.2018 as per the permission accorded by the Government. Thereafter, a show-cause notice was issued to the Petitioner on 30.04.2026 and Petitioner had submitted her explanation to it.
4. The grievance of the Petitioner now is that since, the Government had already taken a decision to alter the seniority of the Respondent No.6, it would in-turn effect the promotional chances of the Petitioner. Hence, the Writ Petition came to be filed.
5. Learned Assistant Government Pleader on instructions submitted that the Government called for an enquiry and noticed that an error committed by the promotional panel for the panel year 2017-
18. It is further submitted that procedure contemplated under the rules would be scrupulously followed and the explanation given by the Petitioner would be taken note of, and an appropriate decision will be communicated to the Petitioner.
6. Heard the counsels.
7. Considering the submissions, at this stage, the explanation given by the Petitioner is an aspect, which has to be examined by the concerned authorities and the Writ Petition is disposed of, with the following directions:-
(i) The Respondent-Authorities are directed to examine the explanation given by the Petitioner in terms of the rules in vogue and to pass appropriate orders thereon.
8. No order as to costs.
9. As a sequel, miscellaneous petitions, pending if any, shall standclosed. ________________________ JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY
Date: 16.07.2026 chs Whether the order is: Speaking ✔ Reasoned
Reportable
Non-reportable ✔
WRIT PETITION No.18451 of 2026 Dated:16.07.2026
chs