Telangana High Court sets aside Ghose panel findings against KCR, Harish Rao; bars action

The Telangana High Court set aside adverse findings of the PC Ghose Commission against K Chandrashekhar Rao, T Harish Rao and others, citing violation of natural justice, while upholding the Commission’s constitution and barring any action based on its report

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Wednesday faulted the PC Ghose Commission findings on former Chief Minister of Telangana K Chandrashekhar Rao, former Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao, SK Joshi (IAS, Retd) and Smitha Sabharwal (IAS).

The division bench comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin held that “the findings of the Commission rendered by the Commission are prejudicial to the conduct and reputation of the petitioners and have been rendered in violation of principles of natural justice and the statutory safeguards provided under Section 8B of the Commission of Enquiry Act”.

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The bench accordingly directed that no action shall be taken against them on the basis of findings recorded by the Commission headed by Pinaki Chandra Ghose into alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project. The Bench, however, upheld the legality of the constitution of the Commission, observing that its establishment under the relevant Government Order was neither arbitrary nor illegal.

The Commission, headed by Justice (Retd) PC Ghose, had probed alleged irregularities in the execution of the Kaleshwaram project during the BRS regime and submitted its report to the State government in July 2025. The report was subsequently tabled in the State Legislative Assembly in August, following which Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy announced that the matter would be referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation.

In its findings, the Commission had reportedly fixed accountability on former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao in relation to certain aspects of the project’s planning and execution, and also found fault with T Harish Rao, who served as Irrigation Minister during the relevant period, apart from commenting on the role of certain officials involved in the construction of barrages and other components.

Challenging these findings, the petitioners had approached the High Court contending that the Commission had failed to adhere to the mandatory procedure under Sections 8(B) and 8(C) of the Act. They argued that no proper notice was served before recording adverse findings, thereby denying them a fair opportunity to defend themselves and cross-examine witnesses.

Conceding, in part, the petitioners’ contention, the High Court made it clear that any findings affecting the reputation or conduct of the petitioners, recorded in breach of principles of natural justice, cannot form the basis for further action.

The bench accordingly granted significant relief to K Chandrashekhar Rao, Harish Rao, SK Joshi and Smitha Sabharwal. A detailed copy of the judgment is awaited.