Hyderabad: Dr. Justice Shameem Akther, retired judge of Telangana High Court, has been appointed Chairman of Telangana Human Rights Commission. His appointment by Governor Jishnu Dev Varma is for a term of three years or until he turns 70, whichever comes first.
In October last year, the Telangana government appointed Justice Akther as a one-man Commission of Inquiry to examine sub-classification within the Scheduled Castes. Acting on a Supreme Court Constitution Bench judgment, the commission studied the social, economic, and educational conditions of the 59 SC communities. In February, Akther submitted his report, recommending a three-tier grouping. The government accepted all recommendations except the exclusion of the creamy layer from reservation benefits.
Justice Akther made history in 2017 as the first Muslim appointed to the High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad, serving the unified judiciary of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Born on January 1, 1961, in Nalgonda, he earned a B.Com. from Nagarjuna Government Degree College, a law degree from University College of Law, Nagpur, an LLM from P.G. College of Law, Hyderabad, and a Ph.D. from Osmania University in 2006.
Starting his legal career in 1986 in Nalgonda, Akther served as District and Sessions Judge from 2002. His roles included Additional District Judge in Khammam and Narasaraopet, Principal District Judge of Nizamabad, Presiding Officer of the AP Wakf Tribunal, Additional Director of AP Judicial Academy, and Registrar (Judicial), before his elevation to the High Court.
He is married to Ghazala Anjum, a postgraduate, and they have two children, Husna Shabnam and Zeeshan Akther.
