Telangana High Court Upholds Judicial Commission on Kaleshwaram Project
In a significant development, Telangana's Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy has stated that the Telangana High Court has not provided a clean chit to any individuals implicated in the alleged irregularities surrounding the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project. The minister's remarks came in response to the court's recent verdict on petitions challenging the formation of the Justice PC Ghose commission.
Court Upholds Commission's Constitution
Minister Reddy emphasized that the petitioners had approached the court seeking to quash GO No. 6, which established the judicial commission to investigate the project. However, the High Court found no fault with the constitution of the commission and fully upheld its appointment under the law.
"The court did not find fault with the commission's findings either," Reddy stated. "It clarified that under Section 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, the inquiry commission is constitutional. The panel's appointment was neither arbitrary, illegal, nor ultra vires."
Procedural Objections and Relief Granted
The minister further explained that the court raised objections regarding certain determinations made against individuals in the commission's report, noting that notices had not been issued to them in the prescribed format. Consequently, the court granted relief to the petitioners, stating that no action should be taken against them solely based on the report.
"Under Section 8B, this is purely a procedural and technical matter," Reddy added. "The court clarified that remarks made by the commission against certain individuals would remain inoperative only because notices were not issued to them."
CBI Inquiry and Next Steps
Reddy highlighted that the state government has already decided to request a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the irregularities and failures in the Kaleshwaram project and has formally written to the CBI. He asserted that the High Court verdict does not pose an obstacle to this inquiry.
"The HC verdict is not an obstacle to the CBI inquiry. The court has not given a clean chit to anyone," the minister reiterated. He also mentioned that the government would decide on the next course of action after examining the full judgment in detail.
The Kaleshwaram project, a major irrigation initiative in Telangana, has been under scrutiny for alleged financial and operational irregularities. The state's move to seek a CBI probe underscores the seriousness with which the government is treating these allegations, even as legal proceedings continue to unfold.
