IAS officer Smita Sabharwal moves Telangana HC against Ghose report on Kaleshwaram
The matter is expected to come up for hearing before the Chief Justice Bench of the Telangana High Court in the next couple of days
By - Newsmeter Network
IAS officer Smita Sabharwal moves Telangana HC against Ghose report on Kaleshwaram
Hyderabad: Senior IAS officer Smita Sabharwal has filed a writ petition in the Telangana High Court challenging the PC Ghose Commission Report on the Kaleshwaram project.
Earlier, Smita Sabharwal served as Additional Secretary and later Secretary to the then Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) during the BRS regime.
The petition, filed on Tuesday, seeks suspension of the Commission’s report dated July 31, which recommended action against her in connection with the construction of the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages.
The matter is expected to come up for hearing before the Chief Justice Bench of the Telangana High Court in the next couple of days.
Commission’s observations
The commission, headed by Justice (Retd.) Pinaki Chandra Ghose had concluded that Sabharwal was actively involved in reviewing the progress of the barrages’ construction. It cited photographs showing her touring the project sites, briefing the Chief Minister, and participating in review meetings.
The report further claimed she accorded administrative sanctions and approvals for the projects without placing the relevant files before the Cabinet, terming it a violation of business rules.
On these grounds, the commission recommended serious action against her.
Grounds of challenge
In her petition, Sabharwal contended that she was not part of the decision-making process on the barrages and only handled routine file movement in her official capacity. She argued that the Commission failed to issue her mandatory notices under Sections 8-B and 8-C of the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952.
She further alleged that the findings against her were prejudicial, defamatory, illegal and high-handed, and sought that the report’s adverse remarks be quashed and set aside.
Respondents in case
The writ petition lists the Chief Secretary, the Secretary (Irrigation & Command Area Development Department), and the Commission of Inquiry on Kaleshwaram Project as respondents.
