In a significant legal decision, the Telangana High Court has upheld an inquiry by a commission regarding alleged irregularities in power procurement during the previous regime led by K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR). The commission, headed by retired Justice Narasimha Reddy, faced scrutiny from KCR, who argued against its jurisdiction and alleged bias.
The court, however, ruled in favor of the commission’s authority, stating that its mandate extended beyond previous adjudications by state regulatory bodies. Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Anil Kumar Jukanti emphasized the commission’s role as a fact-finding body under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, highlighting its duty to investigate matters of public concern.
Dismissing KCR’s claims of bias, the court reviewed statements by Justice Narasimha Reddy and found no evidence of prejudgment, affirming that the commission’s proceedings were intended to inform the public and not to predetermine outcomes.
The decision underscores the judiciary’s commitment to impartial investigation into governance issues, clarifying that commission findings, while influential, are advisory and not legally binding. KCR’s petition was consequently dismissed, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing scrutiny of governance practices in Telangana.
