Hyderabad: The long-standing cadre allotment dispute involving 2013 batch IAS officer Siva Sankar Lotheti has taken a decisive turn, with the Telangana High Court directing the Central Government to reassign him to the Andhra Pradesh cadre within four weeks.
The court’s ruling reinforces an earlier decision issued by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) on February 28, following the dismissal of the Centre’s appeal against that order.
Court Slams Centre for Flawed Cadre Allocation Process
A division bench comprising Justice Abhinand Kumar Shavili and Justice E Tirumala Devi strongly criticized the Centre’s handling of the matter, particularly its assessment of Lotheti’s domicile status. The court found that the Centre had “mechanically” arrived at its decision, ignoring substantial documentary proof and the guidelines issued by the Pratyush Sinha Committee on cadre allocations post-bifurcation.
“There is clear, undisputed evidence of Shri Lotheti’s nativity in Andhra Pradesh,” the court stated, referring to details such as:
- His UPSC application
- Submissions made at the LBSNAA training centre in Mussoorie
- Various official records
The court clarified that the Rangareddy (Telangana) address listed in some records was only a temporary residence, used while the officer was attending to his ailing father at the time of his selection into the Indian Administrative Service.
Chronology of the Dispute
February 28, 2024: The CAT set aside the Centre’s allotment of Lotheti to Telangana, ordering reassignment to Andhra Pradesh within four weeks.
April 9, 2024: After non-compliance, the CAT, while hearing a contempt petition, gave the Centre another four weeks and demanded proof of implementation by June 5.
July 3, 2025: Telangana High Court dismissed the Centre’s challenge and reinforced CAT’s directive, granting the government a final four-week deadline.
Despite multiple tribunal and now judicial orders, the Centre has yet to comply, forcing Lotheti to pursue legal remedies for nearly a year.
Contempt Petition Adjourned to August 7
Meanwhile, the CAT bench on Thursday also took up a fresh contempt petition filed by Lotheti against central officials over non-compliance. The matter has now been adjourned to August 7, with expectations that the Centre will comply before that date to avoid further legal and administrative repercussions.
Legal Precedent and Administrative Implications
The High Court’s stern stance is expected to set a precedent for cadre disputes emerging from the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It also puts the spotlight on the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) for its alleged lack of transparency and adherence to rules in cadre allotment decisions.
Legal experts note that the ruling strengthens the authority of administrative tribunals, whose decisions must be respected and implemented unless overturned through due process.
What’s Next?
With the High Court’s deadline in place, the Centre is now expected to reassign Lotheti to Andhra Pradesh before August 1, 2025, failing which it may face contempt proceedings. The officer’s decade-long service tenure and continued legal battles have now become a test case in administrative justice and the post-bifurcation cadre allocation framework.
