Irregularities in Kaleshwaram project | Telangana issues order to hand over probe to CBI

A government order issued granted the central agency full powers to investigate suspected corruption, fund siphoning, and irregularities in the execution of the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages.

Hyderabad: The Telangana government has formally issued orders to handover the investigation into alleged irregularities in the construction of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) to the CBI. A government order issued by Special Chief Secretary for Home Department Ravi Gupta late Monday granted the central agency full powers to investigate suspected corruption, fund siphoning, and irregularities in the execution of the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages.

The order also provided consent under Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, enabling CBI officers to investigate all accused persons, including public servants, private contractors, and companies connected to the barrage construction. The directive specifically removes earlier restrictions that had limited central agency jurisdiction in such matters in this case.

The decision follows findings from multiple investigative bodies. The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) constituted a committee to examine the reasons for the sinking of Medigadda Barrage piers. After inspecting the site, the committee submitted its report to the Telangana government, followed by interim and final reports.

The NDSA reports revealed that the Medigadda barrage failure resulted from a combination of issues, including planning deficiencies, design flaws, quality control lapses, and construction defects due to inadequate quality oversight.

Subsequently, the Telangana government appointed Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose, a former Supreme Court judge, as a Commission of Inquiry under Section 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952. The commission was tasked with investigating allegations of irregularities, embezzlement of public funds, and corrupt practices in the construction of the three barrages.

The Commission of Inquiry submitted its report on July 31, 2025, identifying several lapses and irregularities warranting serious criminal action. The findings indicate negligence, malicious intent, intentional suppression of facts, and financial irregularities. The commission concluded there was "wrong and, in fact, no planning" in the construction of the three barrages.

The Telangana Legislative Assembly conducted a brief discussion on the matter the same day the commission report was submitted. During deliberations, legislators noted that the findings from both the NDSA and the Commission of Inquiry warranted thorough and detailed investigation.

"It was further observed that the project involves various interstate issues and multiple state and central government departments and agencies. Considering the complexities involved, including the participation of Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) in the project's design and execution, it was deemed appropriate to entrust the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation," the government order said.

The Legislative Assembly ultimately decided to transfer the investigation of all issues related to the construction of the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages to the CBI, recognizing the project's multi-jurisdictional complexity and the need for comprehensive federal oversight.