Kaleshwaram Commission Case: High Court Verdict

The Telangana High Court has reserved its verdict until April 8 in petitions challenging the appointment of the Justice P.C. Ghose Commission, which was set up by the state government to probe alleged irregularities in the construction and maintenance of the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages under the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project. The petitions were filed by former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, former minister T. Harish Rao, IAS officer Smita Sabharwal, and former IAS officer S.K. Joshi, questioning the Government Order No. 6 issued on March 14, 2024. A bench comprising Chief Justice Apares Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin heard the arguments from both sides.

During the hearing, senior advocate Dama Seshadri Naidu, representing Harish Rao, argued that the petitioners were not opposing the formation of the commission but objected to the alleged violations in the inquiry process and the principles of natural justice. He stated that the petitioners were summoned as witnesses without being given a fair opportunity to respond to allegations. The counsel also highlighted that the Kaleshwaram project is one of the largest lift irrigation projects in the world, providing irrigation to over 18 lakh acres across several districts. Lawyers representing the officials stated that notices were issued to them only as witnesses. After hearing the arguments, the High Court allowed the submission of written arguments and postponed the verdict to April 8.