Pleas in HC seek CBI probe into ‘irregularities’ in Kaleshwaram project

Hyderabad: On Thursday, the Telangana High Court adjudicated a batch of PILs/writ petitions filed by various petitioners, seeking a direction to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the alleged irregularities committed by the erstwhile BRS government during the construction of the Kaleshwaram Irrigation Project.

During the course of the hearing, the standing counsel for the CBI informed the division bench comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Jukanti Anil Kumar that it has filed its counter affidavit in the batch of the petitions.

Sharat, counsel for one of the petitioners in the batch of the petitions viz., Bakka Judson, political activist and former AICC member, informed the division bench that the petitioner intends to withdraw the writ petition filed as the judicial probe is going on in the case.

Hence, he contended that he intended to withdraw the petition filed and later, he wanted to challenge the report, which will be filed by the judicial commission, which is probing the alleged irregularities by the then BRS government while constructing the Kaleshwaram Irrigation Project.

Chief Justice Alok Aradhe, refused to accord such permission to the petitioner Bakka Judson stating that once the petitioner has approached the High Court with a PIL, then the issue is in the ambit of the High Court and the court will deal with the issue and the petitioner has very less role to play, rather than assist the court in adjudicating the petition.

The division bench was adjudicating Petitions filed by Prof M Kodanda Rama Reddy, president Telangana Jana Samiti, PIL filed by Mudhuganti Vishwanath Reddy, senior counsel, PIL by Bakka Judson, political activist and former AICC member and PIL by Dr KA Paul @ Kilari Anand Paul, founder president, Praja Shanthi Party.

The case was adjourned by two weeks for further hearing.