Formation of BCs commission challenged in High Court

Division bench of Hyderabad High Court consisting of acting Chief Justice, Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice Shameem Akhtar admitted to separate applications challenging the formation of BCs Commission and issued notices to Govt. of Telangana and BCs Commission asking them to submit affidavit within four weeks.

Mr. M. Raghavendra Rao, a PG student and another citizen of Hyderabad, Mr. K. Ravendra filed these petitions challenging Backward Classes (Amendment) act. of 2016 which makes a provision for the appointment of Mr. B.S. Ramulu as Chairman of BCs Commission. This bill was passed in the winter session of Telangana Assembly. The petitioners contended that Govt. made amendments for the appointment of a person who actively participated for the cause of BCs in order to accommodate Mr. B.S. Ramulu as the chairman of BCs Commission.

Senior Advocate of HC, Mr. L. Ravi Chandra told the division bench that in order to function as the Chairman of BCs Commission, it is essential that he should be well versed in law. He also informed that all the previous commission were headed by retired judges. The Chairman appointed by the Govt. does not fulfill these requirements. This act of the Govt. is in contravention of the judgment to Supreme Court in which guidelines were formed for the appointment of a chairman. Supreme Court had formulated these guidelines to keep these commissions free from political pressures.