The commission, which investigated alleged irregularities in the construction of the Kaleshwaram Project during BRS rule, had earlier submitted its report to the government.
The Telangana High Court on Wednesday directed the state government not to take any coercive action against K. Chandrashekar Rao, president of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), based on the findings of the PC Ghose Commission, which investigated alleged irregularities in the execution of the Kaleshwaram irrigation project.
A division bench of the High Court, comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G. M. Mohiuddin, had reserved its judgment on April 8 and delivered it on Wednesday.
The bench, which heard separate petitions filed by K. Chandrashekar Rao, his nephew and former irrigation minister T. Harish Rao, senior IAS officer Smitha Sabharwal, and retired IAS officer S. K. Joshi, directed that no coercive action be taken against them based on the commission’s report.
The court has also suspended the operational use of the report for future action, senior advocate Gandra Mohan Rao informed reporters.
“The judicial commission’s report holds no value,” said Gandra Mohan Rao.
The petitioners challenged the legality of the Justice Ghose Commission, which was established in March 2024 to investigate alleged irregularities in the multi-crore irrigation project. In response, the Advocate General argued for the state, saying the Commission was formed in public interest and proper procedures, including notices and hearings, were duly followed.
The High Court bench observed that the formation of the Commission was neither arbitrary nor illegal, and did not violate the Constitution.
However, the court noted that the Commission’s findings were prejudicial to the conduct and reputation of the petitioners and were issued in violation of the principles of natural justice, as well as the safeguards under Section 8B of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952. It therefore ruled that the findings would remain inoperative and no action could be taken based on them.
The bench observed that the state government erred in sharing the commission’s findings with the media before legislative review.
Gandra Mohan Rao described the ruling as a “major relief,” stating that the report has effectively become unenforceable. He clarified that the court has restricted authorities, including the Central Bureau of Investigation, from using the commission’s findings to initiate any investigation.
The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS), regarded as the world’s largest multi-stage lift irrigation project, was launched by the then BRS government in May 2016, with its main component inaugurated in 2019 by then Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao.
In March 2024, the Congress government set up a commission led by former Supreme Court judge P. C. Ghose to investigate alleged irregularities in the planning, design, construction, quality control, operation, and maintenance of the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages under the Kaleshwaram project.
The commission submitted its report to the Telangana government on July 31, 2025, holding K. Chandrashekar Rao both directly and vicariously responsible for alleged irregularities in the planning, execution, completion, operation, and maintenance of the Kaleshwaram project.
It also indicted T. Harish Rao, former Chief Secretary S. K. Joshi, and former Secretary to the Chief Minister Smitha Sabharwal.
Reacting to the judgment, T. Harish Rao said the truth had ultimately prevailed. He urged the Congress government to put an end to vindictive politics and speed up repairs to the Medigadda barrage.
The former minister said the court found flaws in the inquiry process, citing violations of natural justice and fundamental rights. He added that the High Court struck down adverse remarks in the Commission’s report and barred any action based on its findings.