Hyderabad, September 2, 2025 –
In a significant development, the Telangana High Court has put a temporary halt on the state government’s decision to order a CBI investigation into the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP). The court directed that no action should be taken solely on the basis of the commission report until further orders.
Court’s Interim Order
Hearing the petitions challenging the state government’s move, the High Court stated that any further proceedings must wait until the next hearing, scheduled for *October 7, 2025. This interim relief comes as a major breather for former Chief Minister *K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) and senior BRS leader Harish Rao, who have been facing allegations linked to the project.
Background of the Case
The Telangana government had earlier appointed a commission headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose to investigate alleged irregularities, misuse of public funds, and corruption in the construction of Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages under the Kaleshwaram project.
The Ghose Commission submitted its report on *July 31, 2025, and the state cabinet approved it on **August 4, 2025, deciding to table the findings in the Legislative Assembly. Following this, the government announced its plan to hand over the case to the *CBI.
Political Impact
The High Court’s stay order is being seen as a temporary political and legal relief for the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leadership. For KCR and Harish Rao, who have consistently denied corruption charges and termed the project controversy as “politically motivated,” the judgment strengthens their defense for now.
However, political analysts suggest that the matter is far from over, as the October hearing will be crucial in determining whether a CBI inquiry will eventually proceed.
Importance of the Kaleshwaram Project
The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project is one of the world’s largest multi-stage lift irrigation systems, designed to supply water for drinking and irrigation to multiple districts in Telangana. Once hailed as an engineering marvel, the project has come under scrutiny after structural damages in Medigadda barrage raised questions about construction quality and accountability.
What’s Next?
With the High Court’s interim order, the government has been directed not to take any action based on the commission’s findings until the next hearing. This delay prolongs the political battle surrounding the project, as both ruling and opposition parties prepare to use the case for electoral advantage.