Daijiworld Media Network - Hyderabad
Hyderabad, Apr 22: In a major relief to K Chandrasekhar Rao and three others, the Telangana High Court on Wednesday directed that no action can be taken against them based on the findings of the PC Ghose Commission, which probed alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram irrigation project.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G M Mohiuddin delivered the order while hearing a batch of petitions filed by KCR, former minister T Harish Rao and others.
However, the court upheld the validity of the Commission, stating that its constitution was neither arbitrary, illegal nor ultra vires of the Constitution.
In its order, the court observed that the findings of the Commission, which were prejudicial to the petitioners’ conduct and reputation, were rendered in violation of principles of natural justice and statutory safeguards under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952. It ruled that such findings would be inoperative and no action could be initiated on their basis.
The Commission, headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice P C Ghose, had investigated alleged irregularities in the construction of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project during the BRS regime.
The panel had submitted its report to the state government, which was later tabled in the Assembly in August last year. Following discussions, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had announced that the matter would be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for further probe.
In its findings, the Commission had held K Chandrasekhar Rao accountable for alleged irregularities and also flagged the role of T Harish Rao and certain officials in the execution of barrages and other components of the project.
Challenging these findings, KCR, Harish Rao and others had approached the High Court seeking to quash the report.
With the High Court now restricting action based on the Commission’s findings, the case has taken a significant legal turn, even as further proceedings in the matter are expected.