Hyderabad: Former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao has secured a deferral of his appearance before the judicial commission probing alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project. The one-man panel, led by retired Supreme Court judge Justice P.C. Ghose, will now examine the BRS chief on June 11 instead of the earlier date, June 5.
KCR, who oversaw the project during his tenure, requested more time citing personal reasons. The commission, which began its work in March after structural damage was reported at the Medigadda barrage, accepted his request and issued a fresh summons.
The inquiry is focused on alleged mismanagement across the project’s planning and execution—ranging from flawed designs and weak quality control to dubious financial decisions. The Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages, all key parts of the massive irrigation scheme, are under the microscope after multiple piers collapsed, raising serious concerns about construction standards.
KCR’s rescheduled appearance comes in the middle of a wave of key testimonies. On June 6, former irrigation minister T. Harish Rao, who led the department throughout the BRS regime, is slated to testify. Sources say KCR may tailor his deposition after reviewing Rao’s version of events.
Another big name on the witness list is BJP MP and former finance minister Etela Rajender. Once part of KCR’s inner circle, Rajender has been summoned for June 9. All three leaders will be facing cross-examination for the first time in relation to the Kaleshwaram investigation.
Touted as a game-changer for Telangana when launched, the Kaleshwaram project has since turned into a political flashpoint. With mounting criticism over costs, design flaws, and lack of accountability, the probe is shaping into one of the most consequential political reckonings the state has seen in recent years.
