On Thursday, September 25, 2025, the Telangana High Court issued a directive preventing the State government from taking any adverse action against senior IAS officer Smita Sabharwal. Sabharwal had previously served as Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office during K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s tenure. The court’s order is in response to findings from the P.C. Ghose Commission, which is investigating the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin presided over her plea, mandating that no disciplinary measures be taken against the officer until October 7.
This temporary protection mirrors similar orders previously granted to former Chief Minister KCR, his former Cabinet colleague T. Harish Rao, and retired IAS officer S.K. Joshi.
Sabharwal’s contention was that the Commission’s report identified her as negligent and irresponsible in her duties within the CMO regarding the Kaleshwaram project’s execution. She expressed concern that the current government might initiate action based on these findings.