The Telangana High Court Thursday granted interim relief to Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Smita Sabharwal and said “no adverse action be taken against her based on the findings” of the P C Ghose Commission on the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) before the next hearing on October 7. Sabharwal served as secretary to Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) during his tenure as chief minister.
The division bench of Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G M Mohiuddin had earlier granted similar interim protection to KCR, former irrigation minister T Harish Rao and also former chief secretary Shailendra Kumar Joshi. The court posted the matter for further hearing on October 7, along with three previous petitions.
The Congress government set up the P C Ghose Commission to probe alleged irregularities in the construction and execution of the KLIP during the BRS term. After the report was submitted to the state government on July 31, the case was forwarded to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on September 1, after a marathon debate in the Assembly on the report.
The CBI probe will focus on allegations of irregularities, embezzlement of public funds, and corrupt practices related to the construction of the Kaleshwaram barrages. This action was taken in light of the inquiry commission’s report and a report by the National Dam Safety Authority.
Sabharwal, who was an additional secretary to the chief minister and then promoted as secretary at the chief minister’s office, has sought the HC’s intervention in quashing the Commission’s report that recommended action against her for alleged irregularities in the sanctioning of works related to Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages of the KLIP.
The report held her “not diligent, negligent, and irresponsible in the discharge of her duties for failing to ensure Business Rules compliance regarding cabinet approvals” and found her “liable for action”.
The report noted, “KLIP, intended as a lifeline for the state of Telangana, became a colossal waste of money due to profound failure of governance, planning, technical oversight, and financial discipline, driven by the individual decisions and undue influence of political leadership.”
Story continues below this ad
Sabharwal, in her plea, contended that she was not part of the decision-making process and only discharged routine duties as an officer in the CMO. According to her, the Commission made “prejudicial, defamatory and high-handed” remarks against her without issuing notices under sections 8-B and 8-C of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, which she claimed was against the law and natural justice.
