Telangana High Court dismisses KCR's petition against Narasimha Reddy Commission

HYDERABAD: The Telangana High Court on Monday dismissed a petition filed by BRS President and former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) seeking the quashing of the Justice Narasimha Reddy Commission, which was set up to investigate power purchase agreements and the construction of new thermal power plants in the state.

In his petition, KCR argued that the establishment of the Justice Narasimha Reddy Commission violated the principles of natural justice. He maintained that the power purchases were conducted according to the norms and accused Justice Narasimha Reddy of acting arbitrarily by holding press conferences. The Commission, Justice Narasimha Reddy, and the Energy Department were named as respondents in the case.

The High Court, however, dismissed KCR's petition, thereby upholding the legal sanctity of the Commission.

On March 14, the state government established a one-man commission of inquiry under Justice L. Narasimha Reddy to examine power purchase agreements and the construction of new thermal power stations in Telangana over the past decade. The Commission, set up under the Commission of Inquiries Act, 1952, had already begun its inquiry and had questioned about 25 current and former officials of the Telangana power utilities.

The Commission also issued a notice to KCR seeking an explanation by June 15. In response, KCR sent a 12-page letter to the Commission requesting more time.

In the letter, KCR contended that the Commission was invalid and that Justice Narasimha Reddy, a former Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, was not competent to head it. He appealed to Justice Narasimha Reddy to voluntarily step down from his responsibilities. The letter also addressed the government's points in the Mission Terms and References and responded to comments made by Justice Narasimha Reddy in a press conference.