K Chandrashekar Rao challenges P C Ghose report
HYDERABAD: Former chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao on Friday told the Telangana High Court that the P C Ghose Commission must explain the basis on which it fixed responsibility on him for planning, designing and execution of the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages under the Kaleshwaram project.
He said the commission concluded that he was responsible for all decisions from site selection and project design to finalisation of tenders without furnishing the material relied upon or seeking his explanation. The report alleged a loss of ₹7,500 crore to the government.
Claims political motive behind report release
Rao challenged Government Order 6 issued on March 14, 2024, appointing the commission to inquire into the three barrages. A division bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice G M Mohiuddin heard petitions filed by Rao, former minister T Harish Rao, IAS officer Smita Sabharwal, and former IAS officer S K Joshi.
Senior counsel Dama Seshadri Naidu, appearing for Rao, argued that the inquiry did not follow due procedure. He said the commission issued notice to Rao under Section 5, summoning him as a witness, but later fixed liability on him as if he were an accused.
The counsel said the commission relied solely on government records and did not provide even a single document to the petitioner. He argued that if any person had deposed against Rao, he should have been given an opportunity to cross-examine them under Sections 8B and 8C of the Commissions of Inquiry Act.
After the commission submitted its report, officials prepared a 60-page summary without independently verifying its findings, the court was told. He said the chief minister and ministers disclosed the findings to the media through a PowerPoint presentation without placing the report before the Assembly or supplying a copy to the petitioner.
Other petitioners deny wrongdoing
Senior counsel J Ramachandra Rao, appearing for Smita Sabharwal, said she discharged her duties in accordance with rules and faced no specific allegations.
Counsel Tarun G Reddy, appearing for S K Joshi, said the commission did not have the authority to conduct a judicial inquiry and that his client merely implemented government orders in discharge of official duties.
The bench adjourned the matter to March 2 for hearing the government’s arguments.
