The Telangana high court on Thursday gave a big relief to senior IAS officer Smita Sabharwal in the controversial Kaleshwaram project case.
The court directed that no action be taken against her based on the Justice P C Ghose Commission report on the alleged irregularities in the project construction.
A division bench of the high court led by Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh which heard the arguments over the petition filed by Smitha Sabharwal, seeking to quash the Ghose commission report, ruled that no proceedings should be initiated against her solely relying on the Ghose Commission report.
The Commission, in its report, stated that Smitha Sabharwal had played a key role in the execution of the barrages, citing her visits to construction sites, field inspections, and feedback to the then chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and involvement in granting administrative permissions.
It went on to recommend action against her for allegedly violating business rules by not placing crucial files before the Cabinet.
Calling these findings arbitrary, prejudicial, and violative of natural justice, Sabharwal urged the Court to strike down the report insofar as it concerned her.
In her petition, Sabharwal contended that the Commission made “serious and adverse remarks” against her without following the mandatory safeguards under Sections 8-B and 8-C of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, which require prior notice and an opportunity to be heard.
She asserted that she was not part of the decision-making process regarding the construction of the barrages and had no role in granting approvals.
Sabharwal had challenged the Commission’s report in the High Court, questioning the issuance of notices and the process of recording statements.
