Shimla, July 7:
Two retired forest officers—Pawan Sharma and Prem Chand—have finally won their decades-old battle for justice.
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the state government to promote both as Assistant Conservators of Forests (ACF) with effect from October 1, 2003, and grant full pay, pension revision, and arrears.
The verdict came after nearly three decades of litigation, where the officers were denied timely promotions despite court orders and clear eligibility.
Justice Sandeep Sharma, while hearing CWP Nos. 6145 and 6140 of 2024, made it clear that the duo had fulfilled all criteria for promotion under the 2002 Recruitment and Promotion Rules.
The state’s attempt to apply the amended 2005 rules, which added new conditions like graduation and departmental exams, was dismissed as arbitrary.
Pawan Sharma, who was appointed as Forest Guard in 1978, had fought multiple rounds of litigation—from Administrative Tribunal to the Supreme Court—just to get his rightful post as Deputy Ranger.
He was finally promoted to Range Forest Officer in 2012, but by then, he had already retired on December 31, 2011.
Same was the case with Prem Chand. Despite being eligible for ACF in 2003, they were left out, while juniors like Om Pal Sharma, Birbal Vinayak, and others moved up the ranks—even without clearing departmental exams.
The court noted that if the department had implemented orders on time, both officers would have naturally moved up. "Delay and laches cannot defeat a just claim," said Justice Sharma, citing Supreme Court rulings.
The court also pointed to Rule 23 of the 1997 Departmental Exam Rules, which exempts Class-I officers over 55 years from having to pass departmental exams—something the department conveniently ignored.
Now what?
The state has been given two months to implement the order. With both officers now in their seventies, the High Court hopes the government will not drag its feet any longer.
This judgment not only restores dignity to two officers wronged by the system, but also sends a strong message on fair service practices.
#JusticeDelayedIsJusticeServed
#HimachalHighCourt
#ForestDepartmentPromotion
#AdministrativeJustice
