High Co!urt to Deliver Verdict on Ghosh Commission Petitions in Kaleshwaram Case!

The Telangana High Court is set to pronounce its verdict on Wednesday on a batch of petitions challenging the constitution of the Justice P.C. Ghosh Commission, formed to probe alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project. The commission was established through GO No. 6 dated March 14, 2024, to investigate issues related to the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages. Petitions were filed separately by former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, former minister T. Harish Rao, and IAS officers Smita Sabharwal and S.K. Joshi. The bench comprising Chief Justice Apares Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin had reserved its judgment on March 12 after extensive hearings.

The petitioners argued that the commission’s inquiry process violated procedural norms and that they were not given an opportunity to present their case before allegations were framed. They also contended that constituting such a commission in the name of public interest should not harm individual reputations. On the other hand, the state government defended its decision, stating that the commission was set up in the larger public interest to ensure transparency and accountability in a major infrastructure project. The verdict, initially expected earlier this month, was deferred and is now scheduled for announcement.