The Telangana government has formally decided to escalate pressure on the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to launch an immediate inquiry into alleged financial and structural irregularities in the construction of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, one of India's most expensive and controversial irrigation undertakings. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy issued the directive on April 27, 2025, in Hyderabad, acting on advice from senior legal counsel.

Key Developments in the CBI Push

Acting on the recommendations of legal experts, CM Revanth Reddy has instructed state officials to formally write to the CBI Director requesting an expedited probe. According to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), ministers have also been directed to seek a personal appointment with the CBI Director, if necessary, to submit a formal memorandum demanding investigation.

This move follows a high-level review meeting held between CM Revanth Reddy and Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy in the wake of a recent Telangana High Court verdict related to the project. The two leaders consulted prominent Supreme Court advocate Abhishek Singhvi to formulate a legal action plan going forward.

What the Legal Experts Said

According to Advocate Abhishek Singhvi, since no cases are currently pending before any court on the Kaleshwaram issue, there are no legal impediments that could prevent the CBI from initiating a probe. This legal clarity is seen as a critical green light for the state government's next steps.

Singhvi also clarified that the Telangana High Court did not find fault with the government's decision to constitute the Justice P.C. Ghose Commission, nor did it make any adverse comments against the Commission's findings. Notably, the Court did not exonerate former officials either — a point the ruling government has been keen to highlight.

The High Court Verdict: What It Actually Said

Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy reiterated that the High Court has not given a clean chit to former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) or former minister T. Harish Rao. The Court dismissed the main plea filed by KCR and Harish Rao, who had sought orders to declare the Justice P.C. Ghose Commission illegal and quash its report.

However, due to certain technical grounds, the High Court ruled that direct action against KCR and Harish Rao cannot be taken at this stage. Critics argue this nuance is being selectively interpreted by both sides — the opposition claiming vindication, the ruling party claiming the legal battle is far from over.

Cabinet Decision and Nine-Month Wait

The Telangana State Cabinet, at its meeting on April 23, 2025, had already resolved to press the CBI for an immediate, expedited investigation. Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy pointed out that the state government first wrote to the CBI nine months ago requesting a probe — and has yet to receive a substantive response.

This comes amid growing public scrutiny over the Kaleshwaram project, which reportedly cost over ₹1 lakh crore and has faced allegations of structural failures, financial mismanagement, and procedural violations during its construction under the previous BRS government. The project, once touted as a landmark engineering achievement, has become a flashpoint in Telangana's political landscape. All eyes are now on whether the CBI will respond to the state's renewed pressure — and how swiftly.