Judgement on AP SC/ST body chief reserved

A two-judge bench of the High Court at Hyderabad comprising acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice Shanker Narayan on Tuesday reserved its verdict on the issue relating to the appointment of the Chairman of the AP SC and ST Commission.

The bench heard two writ appeals filed by the incumbent Sivaji and the government against orders of a single judge.

The single judge earlier had allowed a writ petition filed by Prasad, a practising advocate, who questioned the appointment on various grounds.

The single judge faulted the lack of transparency in the procedure of appointment. He made it clear that he was not ruling on the fitness of the appellant to hold the post.

He, however, set aside the appointment and directed the procedure to be followed and that it was ensured that the selection process was just and transparent.

Both the government and Sivaji contended that the action was in accordance with law and the single judge erred in allowing the writ petition.