Telangana High Court Directs 'No Adverse Action' Against BRS Leaders KCR, T Harish Rao Over Alleged Irregularities In Kaleshwaram Project

The Telangana High Court in its interim order directed "no adverse action" be taken against former Chief Minister and BRS Chief K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) and party leader T. Harish Rao based on the findings of Inquiry Commission Report on alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram project, till the next date of hearing. 

For context, the Kaleshwaram project is an irrigation project on the Godavari river.

During the hearing on September 02, Advocate General appearing on behalf of the State submitted on instructions that no adverse action based on the findings of the report submitted by the Commission of Inquiry on Kaleshwaram Project is, at the present, going to be taken against the petitioners. 

The court was however told that the matter relating to the irregularities in construction and execution of Kaleshwaram Dam has been referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation on the basis of the "reports submitted by the National Dam Safety Authority and other reports". 

A division bench of Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin in its order said:

"Let these matters be listed on 07.10.2025 when the pleadings are complete as directed in the previous order dated 22.08.2025. In the meantime, no adverse action based upon the findings of the Commission's report be taken against the petitioners till the next date of hearing". 

The inquiry into the Kaleshwaram project stemmed from an incident in 2023, wherein a Pillar in the Medigadda Barrage collapsed, striking a major blow to the 1 lakh crore project.

On March 13, 2024, a Commission was set up under the Commission of Inquiry Act, Headed by Honourable Justice (retd.) Pinaki Chandra Ghose former Supreme Court Judge to look into the alleged irregularities and fix responsibility. On July 31 this year the Commission submitted its report.

Allegations had surfaced that the BRS party leader KCR, and the then Irrigation Minister, T. Harish Rao, played a key role in the downfall of the project. It was alleged that the construction material used was cheap, and decisions were made for selfish financial gains.

KCR and Harish Rao had both approached the High Court challenging GO. No 6 by way of which a commission for inquiry into the Kaleshwaram Project was formed.

The petitioners had earlier contended that the report was biased, prejudicial and defaming in nature and prayed that the Court may order no adverse action based on the findings of the report.

During the hearing on August 22, the State Government has come out with a categorical assertion that no action is going to be taken on the basis of any such findings in the Report; the court had then in its order said that "no further interim directions are required to be passed in that regard". The high court however directed removal of Commission of Inquiry report, after noting that before Legislative Assembly undertakes a discussion on the Commission's Report the Report should not be placed in public domain.

During the hearing on September 2 the counsels on behalf of the petitioners vehemently contended that the GO, which entrusted the inquiry into the hands of the CBI, refers to the Sri Pianki Chandra Ghouse Commission Inquiry Report, which was not yet placed before the Assembly for consideration. They argued that, when the GO itself refers to the Commission Report, and nothing prevented the CBI from acting upon it.

Thus, the high court directed no adverse action, and posted the matter to October 7. 

Case title: Thanneeru Harish Rao v/s The State of Telangana AND

Sri. Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao v/s The State of Telangana

Case No: I.A.No.3 of 2025 in W.P.No.24835 of 2025 & I.A.No.3 of 2025 in W.P.No.24837 of 2025

Counsel for petitioners: Senior Advocates Aryama Sundaram and Dama Seshadri Naidu appearing on behalf of advocates Jaggannagari Venkat Sai, and Ponugoti Mohith Rao

Counsel for respondents: Senior Counsel S. Niranjan Reddy and Advocate General A. Sudershan Reddy

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