SC disposes of KCR's plea after Justice Narasimha Reddy withdraws  from Commission of Inquiry

New Delhi, July 16 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Tuesday came down heavily on Justice L. Narasimha Reddy Commission for conducting a press conference to announce details of the inquiry initiated against former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR).  

The Commission of Inquiry was constituted by the state's Congress government to inquire into the power purchase agreements made by the previous BRS government, and the construction of two thermal power plants.

Observing that justice should not only be done but "seen: to be done, a bench, headed by CJI D.Y. Chandrachud, suggested replacing the Commission of Inquiry’s judge.

The bench, also comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, disposed of the plea filed by the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) chief after it was told that Justice Narasimha Reddy has decided to step down from the Commission of Inquiry.

Earlier, the Telangana High Court had dismissed in limine (at the threshold) the plea filed by the former CM seeking directions to declare the appointment of a one-man commission to conduct a judicial enquiry on the correctness and propriety of the decisions taken by the then state government on procurement of power from Chhattisgarh by TS discoms and construction of Bhadradri Thermal Power Plant at Manuguru and Yadadri Thermal Plant at Damarcherla by TS Genco etc as illegal, without jurisdiction, ultra vires the provisions of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952 and contrary to the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2003.

In its order passed on July 1, a division bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Anil Kumar Jukanti rejected the allegation of bias that the Commission was not acting impartially and that it was constituted due to political reasons.

Before the Telangana High Court, the counsel for KCR contended that the Commission was acting contrary to the law, claiming that Justice Narasimha Reddy acted against Supreme Court orders by unilaterally conducting a press conference to announce details of the inquiry.

The Commission had issued notice to KCR seeking details relating to the power purchase agreements and the construction of power plants. Since he was busy campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections, he had sought more time to respond. Even before the former Chief Minister could submit his reply, Justice Narasimha Reddy held a press conference on June 15 to say that there were irregularities in the power purchase agreements and the construction of power plants.

In his plea, KCR contended that the Enquiry Commission was illegal, arbitrary, contrary to principles of natural justice and violative of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.