The cadre allotment dispute involving IAS officer Siva Sankar Lotheti (IAS:2013) continues to draw attention, as the Telangana High Court on Thursday (July 3, 2025) directed the central government to allot him the Andhra Pradesh cadre within four weeks, in line with an earlier order of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT).
The court’s directive came after the Centre’s petition challenging the CAT’s February 28 order was dismissed. A division bench comprising Justice Abhinand Kumar Shavili and Justice E Tirumala Devi criticised the central authorities for mechanically determining Sankar’s domicile status and failing to adhere to the Pratyush Sinha Committee guidelines.
The court observed that there was clear evidence supporting Sankar’s claim of being a native of Dharmavaram in Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh. His UPSC application, submissions at the IAS training centre in Mussoorie, and other records substantiated his Andhra domicile. The court also noted that the Rangareddy address listed in his application was only a temporary residence while he was attending to his ailing father in Telangana prior to his selection.
Despite two earlier CAT orders in his favour, Sankar had not yet been reassigned, prompting him to pursue further legal recourse. With the High Court now reinforcing the tribunal’s directive, the Centre is expected to act within the specified timeline.
It is noteworthy that in its February 28 order, the CAT had set aside the DoPT’s cadre allocation of Sankar to Telangana and directed the government to reassign him to Andhra Pradesh within four weeks. After the Centre failed to comply, Sankar filed a contempt petition. The CAT, in a hearing on April 9, gave the ministry another four-week deadline and directed submission of proof of compliance by June 5.
Meanwhile, the CAT bench on Thursday ( heard another contempt plea filed by Lotheti against the central officials and adjourned the matter to August 7.
Also Read: CAT orders reallocation of IAS officer Siva Sankar Lotheti to Andhra Pradesh
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