SYED SHOWKAT AHMAD QALANDER Vs. STATE OF JK

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In this petition, being SWP No. 48/2019, the petitioner has assailed the validity of Forest Order No. 604 of 2018 dated 24th of December, 2018, in terms whereof he has been posted as Block Officer, Gutlibagh, Block Mansbal Range, Sindh Forest Division, on the grounds detailed out in the petition with particular reference that the posting of the petitioner amounts to his demotion from the post of Range Officer.

(2.) In an earlier round of litigation, the petitioner has already approached this Court through the medium of writ petition, being SWP No. 223/2018, wherein he had questioned his transfer from Hari Parbat Range, Urban Forestry Division, Srinagar, to DFO, Urban Forestry Division, Srinagar, as ordered in terms of Forest Order No. 61 of 2018 dated 3rd of February, 2018. It needs must be said that in terms of the earlier order of posting dated 3rd of February, 2018, Shri Waqas Wadoo, respondent No.4 in SWP No. 223/2018, was directed to look after the Hari Parbat Range, Urban Forestry Division, Srinagar on temporary basis.

(3.) In the said writ petition (SWP No. 223/2018), this Court, in terms of order dated 18th of December, 2018, while registering the status of both the petitioner as well as Shri Waqas Wadoo (respondent No. 4 therein), both substantively holding the posts of Forester, had asked the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests to post the petitioner and Shri Waqas Wadoo (respondent No.4 in the said petition) commensurate to their status and report compliance. It is in this backdrop that the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests has passed the impugned order dated 24th of December, 2018, which has, now, been called in question by the petitioner in SWP No. 48/2019.