KCR Approaches High Court Over Narasimha Reddy Commission

Former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has approached the High Court seeking the quashing of the Justice Narasimha Reddy Commission set up by the State government to probe power purchase agreements and the construction of new thermal power plants during the erstwhile BRS regime.

A writ petition was filed by him before the court seeking the quashing of the commission.

In his petition, KCR said that the setting up of the Justice Narasimha Reddy Commission was against the principles of natural justice. He also said that Justice Reddy had been accused of holding press conferences and acting unilaterally. The Commission, Justice Reddy and the energy department have been made respondents in the case.

KCR also reiterated that the power purchase done by his government was as per the rules.

On March 14, the Telangana government had constituted a one-man Commission of Inquiry under Justice L Narasimha Reddy to look into the power purchase agreements signed in the last 10 years, and the construction of new thermal power stations. The commission set up under the Commission of Inquiries Act, 1952, has already initiated an inquiry and interrogated nearly 25 officials and former officials of Telangana's electricity companies. It also issued notices to the then Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao seeking an explanation by the 15th of this month. In this context, KCR had sent a 12-page letter to the Commission on June 15.

In the letter, KCR clarified that the Commission was illegal. He also said that Justice Reddy, who is in charge of the Commission, was not competent to inquire into these issues, and appealed to him to voluntarily and immediately step down.