1. This Writ Petition raises an important issue relating to the appointment of Chairman of the A.P. State Commission for Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes constituted under the Andhra Pradesh State Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act, 2003 (for short, ‘the Act’).

2. The 1st respondent is the State of Andhra Pradesh represented by the Principal Secretary, Department of Social welfare; the 2nd respondent is the Commissioner and Director of Social Welfare of the 1st respondent; the 3rd respondent is the Andhra Pradesh State Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (for short, ‘the Commission’); and the 4th respondent is the individual appointed as the Chairman of the said Commission.

3. The petitioners, who are members of the Scheduled Caste community, of whom the 1st petitioner is an Advocate, petitioner Nos.2 and 3 are Journalists, and petitioner Nos.4 and 5 are members of political organization by name Madiga Reservation Porata Samiti (MRPS) assail the appointment of 4th respondent as Chairman of the 3rd respondent Commission.

4. The background facts are that under the above statute, vide G.O.Ms.No.44 Social Welfare (CV.PCR) Departmen