Retired judge Justice LN Reddy steps down as commissioner to overlook irregularities in KCR's tenure in Telangana, SC told
Jul 16, 2024
New Delhi [India], July 16 : Retired judge Justice L N Reddy has indicated that he does not intend to continue to act as Commissioner to look into alleged irregularities arising out of power procurement during Telangana's former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao tenure between 2014 to 2023, the Supreme Court was told on Tuesday.
Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, who was appearing for the former judge informed the Supreme Court that retired judge Justice L Narasimha Reddy has indicated that he does not intend to continue to act as Commissioner to look into alleged irregularities arising out of power procurement during former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao between 2014 to 2023.
The top court was hearing the petition filed by K Chandrasekhar Rao challenging the Telangana High Court's decision.
Telangana High Court has rejected K Chandrasekhar Rao's plea to challenge the Congress-led Telangana Government notification for forming the commission to look into irregularities arising out of power procurement in Rao's tenure between 2014 to 2023 in Telangana.
After that Rao moved the Supreme Court challenging the Telangana High Court decision.
The matter was heard by a bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud with justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.
The top court noted the observations in the press note, opined for replacing the judge in the commission and remarked that justice must be seen to be done.
Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan said that he needs to explain the press conference issue and his client has not said a single sentence against the petitioner. He further added that the individual who is alleging bias is one who did not respond to the notice issued by the judge.
Later the senior advocate for the retired judge said that Justice Reddy has indicated that he does not intend to continue in the commission of inquiry.
Telangana Government informed the Supreme Court that another notification will be issued relating to an alternate appointment substituting Justice Reddy.
During the hearing, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, for petitioner, submitted before the top court that there is a case against the former chief minister whenever the government changes and called it a "case of political vendetta". Senior Advocate AM Singhvi, appearing for Telangana state, defended the decision to appoint the commission to oversee irregularities.