Telangana High Court grants interim protection to ex-Chief Secretary

Telangana HC granted interim protection to former Chief Secretary Shailendra Kumar Joshi, directing the State government not to take action based on the Ghose Commission report on Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project irregularities. The matter is adjourned to October 7

Hyderabad: Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin of the Telangana High Court on Tuesday granted interim protection to former Chief Secretary and former Irrigation Principal Secretary Shailendra Kumar Joshi (retd.), directing the State government not to take any adverse action against him based on the Justice PC Ghose Commission report on alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project.

The bench clarified that the interim orders, similar to those already granted to former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao and former Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao in connected petitions, would remain in force until further hearings. The Court noted that Joshi’s apprehension of action being initiated against him on the strength of the Commission’s report was a matter of legitimate concern.

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In his writ petition, Joshi contended that the Ghose Commission made serious findings against him without issuing notices or affording him an opportunity of hearing, as mandated under Sections 8-B and 8-C of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952. Senior Counsel Avinash Desai, appearing for the petitioner, argued that the report violated principles of natural justice and fundamental rights and was therefore liable to be struck down.

Appearing for the State, Advocate General A. Sudarshan Reddy assured the Court that no action would be taken against Joshi based on the Commission’s findings. He further submitted that the government had already decided to entrust the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), acting on recommendations from the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA), vigilance reports, and other inquiries.

In an earlier hearing, the High Court had questioned how Joshi obtained the Commission’s report, which had not been placed in the public domain. Pursuant to the Court’s direction, Joshi filed an affidavit explaining the circumstances of access.

Taking the submissions on record, the bench reiterated that no adverse steps should be taken against the petitioner until further consideration and adjourned the matter to October 7.