The Telangana High Court has sought detailed records from the state government on the eligibility criteria and appointment process for chairpersons of District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions (DCDRCs), after allegations that several appointments breached statutory provisions and Supreme Court guidance.
A division of the Telangana High Court, hearing the matter on Wednesday, directed the state government to examine the original records relating to the appointments and submit complete details before the next hearing. The case was adjourned to September 17.
Justice B Vijaysen Reddy said the issue involved a matter of public importance. The court, however, declined to grant interim orders at this stage. It indicated that any decision on the allegations would be taken only after examining the complete record, including the qualifications of the appointed chairpersons, the procedure followed for their selection, the recommendations of the selection committee and the government’s approval process.
Advocate Vijay Gopal, appearing as a party-in-person, alleged that the appointments of chairpersons to district consumer commissions had not complied with the applicable legal provisions and Supreme Court guidelines. He submitted that several chairpersons did not possess the qualifications required for appointment to the post of district judge and that there was no material showing they had cleared the relevant examination.
Gopal relied on information obtained under the Right to Information Act in support of his submissions. The court said the RTI response could not, by itself, form the sole basis for deciding the issue. It said the government’s position would also have to be considered before the allegations could be assessed.
The court’s direction places the appointment records, eligibility documents and selection process at the centre of the proceedings. The government will now have to provide details on the qualifications of the chairpersons, the recommendations made by the selection committee and the approvals issued during the appointment process.
District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions are statutory forums where consumers can pursue complaints relating to goods and services. Questions over the eligibility and appointment of their chairpersons therefore concern the functioning of an institution through which residents seek redress for consumer disputes.
The High Court has not made a finding that the appointments violated the law. The allegations will be considered after the complete records and the government’s response are placed before the court. The matter will next be heard on September 17.
