BRS chief and former Telangana chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao.
On 16th July, the Supreme Court ordered the Telangana state government to replace Justice L. Narasimha Reddy with another man who will be responsible for probing into alleged corruption that took place in the electricity sector while KCR was still the Chief Minister.
The decision was made by a bench headed by CJI D.Y.Chandrachud after Justice Reddy informed the Court he had opted out of continuing as CoI.
Through senior advocates A.M.Singhvi and Siddharth Luthra representing the State Government. The apex court directed it to issues such notification substituting Justice Reddy with another person to investigate. Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayan represented justice Reddy.
In an appeal filed by Odisha Rashtra Samiti (BRS) head. This order came after these allegations of bias against him were levelled at Justice Reddy. He said this amounted to “pure political vendetta” on part of current Congress government in country.
According to Mr.Venugopal, Mukul Rohatgi opposed a March 14th, 2024 notification issued by the state government referring to it as a judicial commission.
“‘judicial enquiry’ has not same meaning,” said Mr Rohatgi.
The learned counsel accused Justices of holding press conference in course of investigating impending inquiry and some remarks they made at such occasion.
Mr Singhvi countered saying that “an erroneous approach did not mean bias”, further emphasizing that if anything, Justice Reddy was “too transparent”.
Speaking again about his use of ‘Judicial Enquiry,’ in his speech during the hearing on March 14 notification. Mr Singhvi stressed that it simply related to one time position held by Honorable Justice Reddy as a Former Judge.
However, Chief Justice Chandrachud expressed dismay at the fact that Justice Reddy had convened a press meet concerning an ongoing inquiry, especially one that was secret.
“There are observations in the press note which seems he has expressed an opinion on merits… At that stage, he could not have held a press conference… He has crossed the bar by expressing his opinion… We are giving you an opportunity to replace the Commission. This aspect was important as justice should be transparent and impartial since. He has expressed his views on merits,” said Chief Justice Chandrachud to Mr Singhvi before lunch was take.
After lunch, Mr Sankaranarayan addressed the court saying that Justice Reddy sought permission to give up his task as CoI.
Mr Rao appealed against a Telangana High Court order restraining it from interfering with CoI. The propriety of forming a CoI by the successor government after buying power from Chhattisgarh during crisis and construction of Bhadradri Thermal Power Plant at Manuguru and Yadadri. Thermal Plant at Damarcherla by Telangana State Power Generation Corporation Limited was put in question by Mr Rao.
BRS led by also Mr Rao lost to Congress Party in 2023 Assembly elections.
