Notices Issued to K. Chandrashekar Rao, Harish Rao, and Etela Rajender

The inquiry commission headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice P.C. Ghose has issued notices to former Telangana Chief Minister and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) President K. Chandrashekar Rao, directing him to appear in connection with the Kaleshwaram Project case. The commission has also issued similar notices to Harish Rao, who served as the Minister for Irrigation in the K. Chandrashekar Rao-led government, and Etela Rajender, currently a Member of Parliament from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and formerly the Finance Minister.

The commission has sought explanations from all three regarding various aspects related to the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project. Justice P.C. Ghose’s commission has instructed that those served with notices must appear within 15 days and present their respective statements. Specific dates for the hearings have also been scheduled.

According to the commission’s notices, K. Chandrashekar Rao has been asked to appear on June 5. Harish Rao is to appear on June 6, and Etela Rajender on June 9.

The Government of Telangana had established a judicial inquiry commission in March 2024 following structural issues reported at the Medigadda Barrage. The commission is also examining related concerns at the Annaram and Sundilla barrages. Headed by Justice P.C. Ghose, the commission is investigating issues pertaining to construction, maintenance, design, quality control, pay and accounts, and matters involving the Irrigation and Finance departments. Senior officials and representatives from the construction firms involved are also being questioned as part of the inquiry.

Since its formation, the state government has extended the tenure of the commission seven times to accommodate the evolving needs of the investigation.