Smita Sabharwal moves High Court over Kaleshwaram report

HYDERABAD: IAS officer Smita Sabharwal has filed a petition in the Telangana High Court seeking removal of her name from the report submitted by Justice Ghosh Commission on the Kaleshwaram irrigation project.

Sabharwal, who served as Secretary to the Chief Minister during the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government, was earlier questioned by the Ghosh Commission.

Officer denies role in barrages

The IAS officer maintained that she had no role in the construction of the three barrages under the project.

She said her responsibility was limited to examining files placed before the Chief Minister and correcting procedural lapses. "Beyond this, I had no involvement in the execution of works," she told the Commission.

Court hearing awaited

Sabharwal’s petition is expected to come up for hearing soon in the High Court.

CBI probe into Kaleshwaram

On September 1, 2025, the Telangana Government transferred the investigation into alleged irregularities, embezzlement of public funds, and corruption in the construction of the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages of the Kaleshwaram project to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The order, issued by the Home (Special) Department, cited reports of the National Dam Safety Authority and the Commission of Inquiry led by former Supreme Court judge Pinaki Chandra Ghose. Both found major lapses in design, construction and financial accountability.

The CBI will now investigate all accused persons, including public servants and private contractors, after the government relaxed a 2022 order restricting central agency jurisdiction in the state.