In a major setback to the Andhra Pradesh Government, the division bench of the Hyderabad High Court had endorsed the single bench judgement, which set aside the appointment of the State SC, ST Commission Chairman Karem Sivaji on the grounds of arbitrariness.

While Sivaji belongs to Mala community and is also Mala Mahanadu president, the appointment was challenged by other groups in SC and ST. The petitioners contested that the state government appointed him arbitrarily without any public notification which is against the Constitutional right to citizens for equality in opportunities.

Admitting the argument, the court suggested that the government should make important appointments only after notifying to the public and inviting all the qualified persons for the position. While setting aside the appointment, the court also refused to allow any appeal in the case as it was already heard for a prolonged period.

The Division Bench consisting incharge Chief Justice Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice A Sankara Narayana endorsing the single bench judgement, dismissed petitions filed by the Principle Secretary Shamsher Singh Rawat on behalf of the government and Sivaji.