Justice Reddy Withdraws from Controversial Telangana Inquiry Commission

Former Chief Justice of Patna High Court, L Narasimha Reddy, has stepped down from the one-man Commission of Inquiry set up by the Telangana government to investigate alleged power sector irregularities during K Chandrasekhar Rao's tenure. The Supreme Court has allowed the state to replace Justice Reddy in the commission.

Former Chief Justice of Patna High Court, L Narasimha Reddy, on Tuesday withdrew from the one-man Commission of Inquiry established by the Telangana government. This commission was set up to investigate alleged irregularities in the power sector during the tenure of ex-chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao.

The Supreme Court, in a session presided over by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, alongside Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, was informed of Justice (retd) Reddy's decision to step down due to allegations of bias against him. The court has permitted the Congress-led Telangana state government to appoint a substitute for Justice Reddy.

Counsel for K Chandrasekhar Rao, also known as KCR, argued that Justice Reddy had previously made public comments regarding the merit of the charges without a proper inquiry. Consequently, the Supreme Court disposed of Rao's plea, while noting submission from Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader in the matter. This development follows a July 1 ruling by the Telangana High Court which dismissed Rao's petition seeking to invalidate the commission's formation.

(With inputs from agencies.)