Kaleshwaram project: Interim protection extended in writs filed by KCR, Harish Rao against report

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Friday extended interim protection to petitioners K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), T Harish Rao, retired IAS officer SK Joshi and IAS officer Smita Sabharwal, barring any adverse action against them based on the findings of the PC Ghose Commission report on Kaleshwaram until March 2.

Division Bench, headed by the Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh.

What is the update on the case?

Senior Counsel Dama Sheshadri Naidu, representing KCR, and Senior Counsel J Ramchander Rao, appearing for Smita Sabharwal, concluded their arguments.

Counsel for SK Joshi commenced submissions, which will continue on the adjourned date. The interim order, originally granted on September 2, 2025, prohibits the Telangana Government from acting on the commission's report dated July 31, 2025, pending final adjudication.

The petitions filed by KCR and Harish Rao, SK Joshi and Smita Sabharwal, challenge GO 6 dated March 14, 2024, constituting the Commission of Inquiry headed by retired Supreme Court Judge Justice PC Ghose to probe alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram Project barrages.

Senior Counsels argued that the commission, described in its notification as a ‘judicial probe,’ exceeded its mandate under Section 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act by prima facie concluding that the petitioners and others committed large-scale irregularities and embezzlement of public funds.

Without an opportunity for defence

They contended that, despite possessing civil court powers, the commission declared the petitioners ‘accused’ after questioning them without allowing presenting their defence, violating natural justice principles.

Dama Sheshadri Naidu further submitted that the commission cross-examined over 190 witnesses whose depositions implicated KCR, yet denied him the right to cross-examine them, rendering the process biased.

He highlighted the commission's public disclosure of its report via a media presentation, which accused KCR of embezzlement in the construction of three barrages and irreparably damaged his political reputation.

The counsels sought suspension of the constituting GO and a direction restraining the government from implementing the report. The bench adjourned the matter to March 2, 2026, extending the interim relief in the interim.