(Ramesh Ranganathan, ACJ.)

1. Both W.A. Nos.1220 and 1225 of 2016 are preferred by the 4th respondent and respondent Nos.1 and 2, in W.P. No.14299 of 2016, respectively aggrieved by the order of the Learned Single Judge dated 04.11.2016 setting aside the appointment of the 4th respondent as the Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh State Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, vide G.O.Ms. No.45 dated 13.04.2016, on grounds of illegality and procedural impropriety. The parties in these appeals shall, hereinafter, be referred to as they are arrayed in W.P No.14299 of 2016.

2. The petitioners, five in number, filed W.P. No.14299 of 2016 to declare the action of the 1st respondent in issuing G.O.Ms. No.45 dated 13.04.2016 appointing the 4th respondent as the Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh State Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (hereinafter called the “Commission”) as illegal, arbitrary and violative of Article 14 of the Constitution of India, and to direct the 1st respondent to empanel candidates for being considered for appointment as the Chairman of the Commission.

3. G.O.Ms. No.44 dated 13.04.2016 was issued by the Government of Andhra Prade