Kaleshwaram Project case: Telangana HC extends protection to KCR, Harish Rao; next hearing on Feb 25

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Monday extended interim protection to former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, former Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao, retired IAS officer Shailendra Kumar Joshi and senior IAS officer Smita Sabharwal in the Kaleshwaram Irrigation Project case.

The Court also restrained the State government from taking any adverse action against them based on the Commission of Inquiry report on the Kaleshwaram Project.

The protection will remain in force till February 25, when the matter is scheduled for further hearing.

Legal protection continues for now

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice Ghouse Meera Mohiuddin was hearing four separate writ petitions filed by the former Chief Minister, the former Minister and the two senior bureaucrats.

The Bench continued the interim relief earlier granted, directing the Telangana Government not to act upon the findings of the Commission report until the next date of hearing.

Challenge to Commission of Inquiry report

The petitioners have questioned the report dated July 31, 2025, submitted by the Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose, which probed alleged irregularities in the planning, design and construction of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme, particularly the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages.

They have sought suspension of the report’s operation and a stay on all further proceedings and adverse findings arising from it, including the summary PowerPoint presentation released on August 4, 2025.

Petitioners claim lack of chance to respond to allegations

Senior counsel appearing for the petitioners argued that the Commission’s findings were recorded without issuing mandatory notices under Sections 8B and 8C of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952.

According to them, the observations made in the report adversely affect the conduct and reputation of the petitioners and are prejudicial and defamatory in nature.

The counsels contended that the findings were publicly disclosed through a press conference and presentation without allowing the petitioners to respond, in violation of principles of natural justice.

Government’s reply filed, says AG

Advocate General A Sudershan Reddy informed the court that the State government has filed counter-affidavits in all four writ petitions and that the petitioners have already submitted their replies.

He requested the court to take the matter up for a detailed hearing.

What is the commission report about?

The Commission of Inquiry was constituted by the Telangana Government through GO 6, Irrigation and Command Area Development Department, dated March 14, 2024, to investigate alleged negligence, irregularities and lacunae in the execution of the Kaleshwaram Project and to fix responsibility.

The petitioners have also complained that the report was repeatedly publicised without providing them with copies of the same.

Key legal questions

The case raises significant issues concerning:

- Compliance with procedural safeguards under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952

- Adherence to principles of natural justice

- The legal status and enforceability of Commission of Inquiry reports

The petitioners have argued that such reports are recommendatory in nature and that several similar reports have been set aside by High Courts in the past.

Next hearing on February 25

The High Court has adjourned the matter to February 25, 2026, with the interim protection against adverse action continuing until then.

The outcome is expected to have far-reaching implications for the accountability of former public representatives and senior officials in connection with the controversial Kaleshwaram Irrigation Project.