Kaleshwaram probe: Ghose panel to summon KCR, Harish
1
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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Democracy without dissent a contradiction: Justice Surya Kant
Democracy without dissent is a contradiction and that silence in the face of injustice is not neutrality, but complicity, Supreme Court judge justice Surya Kant has asserted as he invoked India's constitutional ethos and the top court's role in defending civil liberties. Justice Kant, who is in line to take over as the Chief Justice of India (CJI) in November this year, was speaking at the Washington Supreme Court as part of an international judicial exchange. In his address earlier this week that underscored the shared constitutional commitments of India and the United States, the judge said: 'Democracy without dissent is a contradiction, and that silence in the face of injustice is not neutrality, but complicity…These are not merely legal precedents; they are constitutional declarations.' Justice Kant highlighted that the right to free speech, protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution and the First Amendment in the US, has been 'zealously defended' by courts on both sides of the Atlantic. Drawing parallels with the US Supreme Court's protection of student protest in Tinker Vs Des Moines (1969), he recalled how India's top court, much earlier, had established the primacy of expression in Romesh Thappar and Brij Bhushan cases in 1950, ruling against pre-censorship and vague notions of public order. 'In both countries, the judiciary has consistently pushed back against the temptation to suppress dissent under misguided and deceptive notions that the executive may hold,' he noted. Reaffirming the foundational nature of constitutional supremacy in both democracies, Justice Kant highlighted that the basic structure doctrine in India that asserts Parliament cannot amend away core constitutional values mirrors the American principle that 'even the majoritarian will must bow' before foundational ideals like liberty, federalism, and equality. 'These doctrines reflect a shared understanding that tampering with these principles would cause a rift so immense that it would threaten the very heart of our existence,' he warned. ALSO READ | Free speech, democracy, and the epidemic of hurt feelings Justice Kant also spotlighted India's global leadership in using public interest litigation (PIL) as a judicial tool to redress collective harm. Citing the Vishaka judgment (1997) where the Indian Supreme Court laid down workplace sexual harassment guidelines in the absence of legislation, he said: 'Though structurally distinct, both approaches reflect a shared judicial philosophy: that justice must not be confined to individual litigants but must be responsive to collective harm and systemic failure.' In contrast, he acknowledged the role of class action lawsuits in the US, such as Lois Jenson Vs Eveleth Taconite Co (1993), where female workers collectively challenged workplace abuse. Addressing the evolution of due process jurisprudence, Justice Kant recalled how the Indian Constitution initially adopted 'procedure established by law' over the American-style 'due process,' but eventually evolved the latter through judicial interpretation. 'In the seminal Maneka Gandhi case (1978), the Indian Supreme Court read into the phrase the requirements of justice, fairness, and reasonableness -- effectively harmonizing our doctrine with the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution,' he added. Justice Kant concluded his address on a note of judicial kinship, stating: 'It is my firm belief that our countries, and our legal systems, share a kindred spirit rooted in the pursuit of justice, liberty, and the rule of law… The law must be a shield for the weak, not a sword for the powerful.'
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Vishalgad Urs not held, yet 1,300 devotees went to fort for prayers at dargah
Kolhapur: Around 1,300 devotees visited Vishalgad to offer prayers at Hazrat Peer Malik Rehan's shrine on Sunday. The traditional four-day Urs, scheduled to begin on Sunday, was cancelled following restrictions by the state archaeology department. The Bakrid qurbani proceeded according to Bombay high court guidelines. While the Urs typically draws thousands of attendees, recent campaigns by right-wing organisations against encroachments have led to reduced attendance. The previous year's event was marred by violence over encroachment issues. The animal sacrifice ritual was conducted under strict protocols, requiring enclosed private premises. The area was surrounded by metal sheets to ensure compliance. Devotees from various regions queued early to climb to the fort, presenting identification such as Aadhaar cards for registration. The administration limited visits between 9am and 5pm, prohibiting overnight stays. All 1,300 registered visitors completed their darshan/prayers within the stipulated time. Sub-divisional officer Sameer Shingate, of the Pannala division, said: "Everyone left the fort before 5pm. Police bandobast and scrutiny will remain in place for three more days." Although the dargah trust officials proposed a modest Urs celebration, authorities implemented a complete prohibition. Kolhapur's superintendent of police Yogeshkumar Gupta said the administration has challenged the HC ruling permitting animal sacrifice at the fort in the Supreme Court. Right-wing groups opposed the HC decision, demanding the prohibition of both Urs and animal sacrifice at the historic 11th-century fort. These groups celebrated the administration's decision to ban the Urs as their success. Kolhapur: Around 1,300 devotees visited Vishalgad to offer prayers at Hazrat Peer Malik Rehan's shrine on Sunday. The traditional four-day Urs, scheduled to begin on Sunday, was cancelled following restrictions by the state archaeology department. The Bakrid qurbani proceeded according to Bombay high court guidelines. While the Urs typically draws thousands of attendees, recent campaigns by right-wing organisations against encroachments have led to reduced attendance. The previous year's event was marred by violence over encroachment issues. The animal sacrifice ritual was conducted under strict protocols, requiring enclosed private premises. The area was surrounded by metal sheets to ensure compliance. Devotees from various regions queued early to climb to the fort, presenting identification such as Aadhaar cards for registration. The administration limited visits between 9am and 5pm, prohibiting overnight stays. All 1,300 registered visitors completed their darshan/prayers within the stipulated time. Sub-divisional officer Sameer Shingate, of the Pannala division, said: "Everyone left the fort before 5pm. Police bandobast and scrutiny will remain in place for three more days." Although the dargah trust officials proposed a modest Urs celebration, authorities implemented a complete prohibition. Kolhapur's superintendent of police Yogeshkumar Gupta said the administration has challenged the HC ruling permitting animal sacrifice at the fort in the Supreme Court. Right-wing groups opposed the HC decision, demanding the prohibition of both Urs and animal sacrifice at the historic 11th-century fort. These groups celebrated the administration's decision to ban the Urs as their success.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
3 key judiciary appts a point of pride for Nagpur
It's a different kind of coincidence. Three leading legal luminaries from Nagpur are holding key posts in the judiciary in the national capital. Bhushan Gavai (64) is the Chief Justice of India , Atul Chandurkar (60) has been appointed as a judge in the Supreme Court, while Nitin Sambre (58) has been picked as a judge of Delhi high court. Gavai is probably the first judge of the apex court to publicly declare that he will not take up any post-retirement assignment. In the past, several CJIs had accepted key jobs after retirement; a few of them were nominated to Rajya Sabha or picked as governor or head of the human rights commission. CJI Gavai has taken the view that a judge contesting elections for political office immediately after retirement or resignation could lead to doubts about the independence and impartiality of the judiciary. CJI Gavai had given landmark verdicts in cases on demonetisation, electoral bonds scheme, demolitions by bulldozers, Article 379 abrogation, and extension of Enforcement Directorate chief's tenure. Justice Chandurkar belongs to Pune but shifted to Nagpur in 1992. Among the important orders he delivered include rulings against govt fact check units whose validity was challenged by standup comic Kunal Kamra and on the appointment of consumer forum members. The order in the Kamra case was widely appreciated for reaffirming the core principle of free speech. Justice Sambre was among the popular and powerful judges of Bombay HC's Nagpur bench. He took a firm stand on civic accountability and environmental issues. When Nagpur witnessed massive floods for two years, he took to task not only the state govt but even the Nagpur Municipal Corporation for their dismal preparedness and set a deadline for restoration of normalcy. Justice Sambre played a crucial role in tackling public interest litigations pertaining to urban governance. In the pink of health Public health secretary Nipun Vinayak has embarked on a new mission: to check the health of his staff as well as visitors. In addition, ever since he took over the reins of the health department, he has established dialogue with one and all in the entire department across the state. As one enters the 10th floor of the department, Vinayak has put up a huge board with employees' birth dates. It has created a sense of belonging. Above all, all those who come to meet Vinayak, they have to compulsorily fill up a simple questionnaire dealing with the life and health of the visitors. Vinayak is keen to know whether visitors have exercised in the morning on that day, have consumed tobacco or liquor, face stress, take care of their parents' health and, above all, how much time they give their children. These days, many people are not able to provide quality time to their children as well as their elderly parents. Vinayak said he expects the questionnaire will create awareness on individuals' health and family status.
