Telangana HC declines to stay Kaleshwaram report, govt says no action till Assembly debate

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Friday declined to stay the report of the Judicial Commission headed by Justice (Retd.) PC Ghose, who probed alleged irregularities in the execution of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP).

The Chief Justice’s Bench also directed the State Government to take down the report if it has been uploaded online and issued notices to file a detailed counteraffidavit within four weeks.

Petitions by KCR and Harish Rao

The Division Bench of Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin was hearing writ petitions filed by former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and former Minister T Harish Rao.

The two leaders sought suspension of the Ghose Commission’s report, dated July 31, contending that its findings adversely affected their conduct and reputation.

AG assures no immediate action

Advocate General Sudarshan Reddy informed the court that the Government would not act upon the report until it is tabled and debated in the Legislative Assembly. He argued that the apprehension of the petitioners regarding immediate action was misplaced.

No interim relief necessary, says HC

The Bench observed that, under the law, the Commission’s report must first be laid before the Assembly for debate and discussion. At this stage, since the Government had categorically assured that no action would be taken based on the report, the court held that no interim relief was necessary.

Direction to Government

The court directed the State’s Chief Secretary, General Administration Department, and the Secretary, Irrigation and Command Area Development Department, to file a comprehensive counteraffidavit within four weeks. The petitioners were given one week thereafter to submit their rejoinder, if any.

The matter was adjourned for five weeks.