Temporary relief for KCR and Harish Rao in Kaleshwaram project case

The Telangana High Court has extended its interim order protecting BRS chief K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), former minister T. Harish Rao, and others from any adverse action in connection with alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project until January 2026.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Alok Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin heard the petitions filed by KCR, Harish Rao, former Chief Secretary Shailendra Kumar Joshi, and IAS officer Smita Sabharwal. During the hearing, the government’s counsel requested additional time to file a counter affidavit. The court accepted the request, adjourning the case to January 2026 and continuing its earlier stay order that prevents any action against the petitioners until then.

The case stems from a report submitted by a Judicial Commission headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice P.C. Ghose, which investigated alleged corruption and procedural lapses in the construction of the Kaleshwaram project. The report was tabled in the Telangana Assembly in August this year. Following a debate, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy announced that the government would hand over the probe to the CBI.

According to the commission’s findings, there were serious irregularities in the tendering process, financial management, and quality control of the massive irrigation project. The estimated project cost, which was initially pegged at ₹38,500 crore, eventually ballooned to about ₹1.10 lakh crore. The report also highlighted unnecessary expenditure of around ₹1,300 crore.

In response, KCR and Harish Rao approached the High Court, arguing that the commission had not followed due legal procedures while preparing its report. They contended that they were not given a fair opportunity to present their side or defend themselves, and that the findings were legally flawed. Therefore, they requested the court to ensure that neither the state government nor the CBI initiates any investigation or action based on the report until the case is resolved.

About the Kaleshwaram Project The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project is located at Medigadda on the Godavari River in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district. It connects the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages to lift and distribute Godavari waters to districts such as Karimnagar, Siddipet, Nizamabad, Yadadri, and Ranga Reddy. The project was hailed as India’s largest lift irrigation scheme, designed to provide irrigation and drinking water across several drought-prone regions. However, it has now become the center of a major legal and political controversy over corruption allegations.