TELANGANA: KCR Challenges Kaleshwaram Report in Court
Legal Contestation Initiated
Former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) and former Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao have lodged a petition in the Telangana High Court, contesting the legitimacy of the Justice P.C. Ghose Commission’s report on the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project.
The petition, currently under review by the court registry, seeks to nullify the commission’s findings, alleging procedural deficiencies.
The petitioners argue that the commission lacked the competency to conduct the investigation and failed to adequately consider their submissions, raising questions about the inquiry’s adherence to legal standards.
Commission’s Formation and Scope
On March 14, 2024, the Telangana state government constituted a judicial commission, chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose, to probe alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram project.
The commission was tasked with examining the planning, design, construction, quality control, operation, and maintenance of the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages.
Over 16 months, the commission gathered evidence from diverse stakeholders, including former political leaders, IAS officers, engineers, construction firms, public associations, journalists, and citizens.
Inquiry Process and Key Participants
The Justice Ghose Commission conducted an exhaustive investigation, questioning key figures such as KCR, Harish Rao, and former Finance Minister Eatala Rajender.
It scrutinized their explanations alongside testimonies from over 115 witnesses, including irrigation engineers and retired officials.
The commission’s 665-page report, submitted on July 31, 2025, was subsequently approved by the state cabinet, paving the way for its tabling in the Telangana Legislative Assembly during the monsoon session.
Allegations of consequentiality
The petitioners claim the commission’s report is legally flawed, citing non-compliance with Section 8(B) of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, which mandates that individuals facing adverse findings be given an opportunity to respond.
They argue this procedural lapse undermines the report’s validity, potentially rendering it infructuous, as noted by legal experts.
The report allegedly holds KCR and Harish Rao accountable for governance failures, financial irregularities, and technical lapses in the project, prompting their legal challenge.
Government’s Response and Next Steps
The state government, led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, has committed to a transparent process, with plans to discuss the report in the assembly.
Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy emphasized that no political vendetta is intended, and further actions will follow due process.
The High Court’s ruling on the petition could significantly impact the report’s legal standing and the state’s subsequent actions.