Telangana High Court extends protection from arrest to KCR, Harish

Telangana High Court extended interim protection from arrest to former CM K Chandrashekhar Rao, T Harish Rao, SK Joshi, and Smita Sabharwal in writ petitions challenging the Justice PC Ghose Commission report on Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project

By Legal Correspondent

Hyderabad: Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin of the Telangana High Court on Tuesday extended the interim protection earlier granted to former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, former Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao, former Chief Secretary SK Joshi, and senior IAS officer Smita Sabharwal in the writ petitions challenging the Justice PC Ghose Commission report on the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project.

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The Court expressed displeasure over the delay in filing counter-affidavits by the State, noting that ample time had already been granted, and fixed October 7 for completing the pleadings. The Advocate General, appearing for the State, sought two more weeks to file the counters.

While allowing the request, the bench cautioned that the pleadings must be completed on the next date of hearing and granted the petitioners two weeks thereafter to file their replies, if necessary. The interim protection earlier granted to the petitioners will continue till the next date of hearing on November 12.