Kaleshwaram probe: Ghose panel to summon KCR, Harish
2
Hyderabad: As the investigation into the sinking of piers at the Medigadda barrage and leakages at Annaram and Sundilla barrages reached the final stages, former judge,
Justice PC Ghose
, who heads the one-man commission of inquiry, has decided to summon former chief minister
K Chandrasekhar Rao
, former irrigation minister
T Harish Rao
, and ex-finance minister Eatala Rajender for questioning.
All three barrages are part of the
Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme
, which was executed during the BRS govt's tenure.
According to govt sources, KCR and the former ministers will be given two weeks to appear before the commission and clarify certain key issues. Notices are expected to be served by late Monday night or Tuesday, the sources said.
To facilitate the questioning of the former CM and ministers, the govt has extended the term of the Ghose Commission by two more months, until July 31.
Previously, the deadline for submitting the final report was May 31.
While the commission had initially planned to submit its findings in May, Justice Ghose reportedly decided to seek further clarification from KCR and Harish Rao, given their involvement in major policy decisions, particularly the relocation of the Kaleshwaram project site from Tummidihatti to Medigadda, and their reported role in decisions related to project cost, design, and execution.
This development comes almost exactly a year after another inquiry—led by Justice (retd) L Narasimha Reddy—was set up to probe alleged irregularities in power purchase agreements and the construction of two thermal power plants during the BRS regime.
That commission had also summoned KCR, asking him to give clarification either in person or in writing. At the time, KCR requested an extension until July 30. However, Justice Narasimha Reddy eventually resigned from the commission after the Supreme Court expressed concern over his informal interactions with the media regarding the inquiry.
Govt sources emphasised that seeking clarification from KCR was necessary in the interest of natural justice, as several officials and engineers who have deposed before the commission reportedly claimed that they acted on the direct instructions of then chief minister KCR.
Some senior engineers reportedly testified that key decisions, including those related to design approvals, quality control, and project execution, were made at the top level, without interference from the project staff.
Last month, the commission received the final reports from the vigilance and enforcement department and the National Dam Safety Authority. Both reports pointed to irregularities in the construction of the barrages and recommended action against certain officials, sources said.
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