KCR gets interim relief from HC in Kaleshwaram case

In a temporary relief to the former Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and former irrigation minister T Harish Rao, the High Court has directed that no adverse action should be taken based on the findings of the PC Ghosh Commission on the Kaleshwaram project till further orders.

K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) and Harish Rao had filed separate petitions before the court questioning the legality of the PC Ghose Commission report. They pleaded with the court to quash the report, claiming it to be prejudicial, defamatory, and against natural justice. With the chief minister declaring in the state assembly that they would go for a CBI inquiry, the two petitioners sought an early hearing.

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A bench of the high court, comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin, inquired with the advocate general whether any action had been taken on the Commission report.

The advocate general informed the court that the government had issued an order for a CBI investigation, but denied that the decision to hand over investigations to the CBI was based on the PC Ghose Commission’s report. The government’s decision was based on the report given by the National Dam Safety Authority. The letter recommending a CBI inquiry mentioned the Kaleshwaram Dam, the flaws in the quality and planning.

The court directed the state government to submit a detailed reply on the points raised in the petition and the interim application seeking a stay on any action based on the report within four weeks. The petitioners will get another week thereafter to file their counter. The HC adjourned the hearing till 7 October.