Page No.# 1/4 GAHC040002612026 THE GAUHATI HIGH COURT (HIGH COURT OF ASSAM, NAGALAND, MIZORAM AND ARUNACHAL PRADESH) (ITANAGAR BENCH) Case No. : WP(C)/70/2026 Techi Kojum Son of Techi Servi, resident of Ganga Village, PO RK Mission, Itanagar, PS Chimpu, Papum Pare District, Arunachal Pradesh. VERSUS The State of AP and 4 Ors through the Chief Secretary, Govt of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar. 2:The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Age: 0 Occupation : Govt of Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar. 3:The Director State Forest Research Institute Age: 0 Occupation : Chimpu Govt of Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar. 4:The Divisional Forest Officer Age: 0 Occupation : Silviculture Division Govt of Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar. 5:Smti Neelam Yania Age: 0 Occupation : Range Forest Officer Research and Experiment Range Page No.# 2/4 Chimpu Itanagar Advocate for the Petitioner : Tsering Gyatso, Phurpa Tsering,Tayom Gamoh,Logsang Yountan,Dejum Tally Advocate for the Respondent : GA (AP), BEFORE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE KARDAK ETE ORDER Date : 27-02-2026 Heard Mr. T. Gyatso, learned counsel for the petitioner. Also heard Mr. Ms P. Sangeeta, learned State counsel for the State respondents No.1 to 4. 2. The petitioner prays for a direction to the respondent authorities to dispose of the representation filed by the petitioner as regards the handing over of charge of Research & Experiment Range, Chimpu pursuant to the order dated 16.01.2026 whereby, the petitioner has been asked to look after the Research & Experiment Range under DFO, Silviculture Division, Chimpu as stop-gap arrangement. 3. Considering the simple nature of the grievance placed in the writ petition, the learned State counsel was directed to obtain instructions however, no instruction is placed. 4. Having considered the prayer made in this writ petition, the matter is taken up for disposal at the motion stage itself. Page No.# 3/4 5. The petitioner is working as Deputy Forest Ranger under the Directorate of State Forest Institute, Chimpu. By an order dated 16.01.2026, pursuance to the letter of PCCF dated 15.01.2026, the petitioner has been asked to looked after the Research & Experiment Range under DFO, Silviculture Division, Chimpu as a stop-gap arrangement with immediate effect until posting of the regular incumbent in the range. Pursuant thereto, the petitioner has submitted his joining report before the DFO, Silviculture Division, Chimpu, Itanagar. The DFO has directed the respondent No. 5, Smti. Neelam Yania, Range Forest Officer, Research and Experiment Range to hand over the charge to the petitioner, however, the charge of Research & Experiment Range has not been handed over to the petitioner. 6. The petitioner being aggrieved, filed a complaint before the Principle Chief Conservator of Forest, Government of Arunachal Pradesh against such non-handing of the charge of Research and Experiment Range under the DFO, Silviculture Division, Chimpu, Itanagar on 11.02.2026. On 16.02.2026, a representation was also filed by the petitioner before the Principle Chief Conservator of Forest, Government of Arunachal Pradesh to direct the respondent No.5 to hand over the charge of Research and Experiment Range. However, no handing or taking of charge was given to the petitioner by the respondent No.5. 7. It is the simple prayer of Mr. T. Gyatso, learned counsel for the petitioner that a direction may be issued to consider and dispose of the complaint dated 11.02.2026 and the representation dated 16.02.2026 within a period of 1(one) week. Page No.# 4/4 8. The petitioner, who is working as Deputy Forest Ranger, has been directed to look after the Research and Experiment Range under the DFO, Silviculture Division, Chimpu, Itanagar purely as stop-gap arrangement with immediate effect until posting of a regular incumbent to the range. It appears that the respondent No.5, who is working as Range Forest Officer has, earlier been allowed to hold the charge of Research and Experiment Range, Chimpu. 9. Having considered the submissions of learned counsel for the parties and considering that the issue as regards the holding of charge of Research and Experiment Range as stop-gap arrangement as well as considering that no regular incumbent has been transferred and the petitioner and the respondent No.5 are allowed to hold the charge only on stop-gap arrangement, I am of the considered view that both the petitioner and respondent No.5 are not entitled to claim for the post of Research and Experiment Range as a matter of right. However, considering the prayer for disposal of the complaint and representation of the petitioner, I deem it appropriate to direct the respondent authorities to consider and dispose of the complaint dated 11.02.2026 and the representation dated 16.02.2026 filed by the petitioner, within a period of 15(fifteen) days from today. 10. Writ petition stands disposed of, accordingly. JUDGE Comparing Assistant