10 Rehbar-e-Janglat Forest Workers’ Regularisation Claims Must Be Decided Within 8 Weeks, CAT Orders

The applicants were engaged as Rehbar-e-Janglat under the policy notified by Government Order No. 155-FST of 2017, which contemplated consideration for regularization against Forest Guard posts after five years of satisfactory and continuous service

The applicants relied on the creation of 333 additional posts and a 2021 Government Order setting off 234 supernumerary Forest Guard posts against vacancies, and sought consideration of their individual eligibility and claims for regularization

They also relied on Rupesh R. Gaonkar & Ors. v. State of Goa & Ors., 2026 Legal Eagle (SC) 904

At the applicants’ counsel’s request, the Tribunal took up the O.A. for disposal

The Tribunal referred to the Rehbar-e-Janglat policy notified by Government Order No. 155-FST of 2017 and subsequent Government orders as the governing framework for consideration of the applicants’ claims

It also directed the respondents to take note of Rupesh R. Gaonkar & Ors. v. State of Goa & Ors., 2026 Legal Eagle (SC) 904, and extend its benefit if the applicants are squarely covered and no legal impediment exists

The Tribunal did not adjudicate whether the applicants met the policy’s eligibility requirements or were entitled to regularization.

Instead, it directed the respondents to assess their merits and eligibility under the applicable rules and policy, consider the 2017 Government Order and subsequent orders, and address the cited Supreme Court judgment in that assessment

It expressly left the merits open.

Any benefit under the cited Supreme Court judgment is conditional on the applicants being squarely covered and there being no legal impediment; the Tribunal expressed no opinion on the merits.