Revanth Reddy government suffered a setback in the Supreme Court on Tuesday as the Chief Justice DY Chandrachud ordered to change the Chairman of Electricity Commission Justice Narasimha Reddy, hearing a petition filed by former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, challenging the constitution of the Commission.
The Chief Justice raised objections to the Chairman of the Electricity Commission holding a press meet and questioned how the chairman could express his views publicly. During the hearing, Chief Justice Chandrachud ordered that the chairman of the inquiry commission, Justice Narasimha Reddy, be changed immediately.
It said to appoint another judge to the Power Commission, emphasizing the importance of judges appearing impartial and delivering justice. Immediately, the Telangana government accepted the court direction. The Telangana government is expected to reveal the name of the new judge to the Supreme Court after 2 pm today.
Abhishek Manusinghvi and Siddharth Luthra argued on behalf of the state government. Mukul Rohatgi argued on behalf of KCR. When there are tribunals, he asked how the judicial inquiry will be conducted on the power purchase agreements.
“We bought electricity in the wake of the power crisis in the wake of the formation of a new state. Below the market rate, we bought the unit at Rs 3.90 only. I am the former Chief Minister and the present Chief Minister has filed many RTIs on this issue. This is a factional action. Convicted before trial” KCR argued in his petition.
While there is an Electricity Regulatory Commission, KCR asserted that there is no need for a Commission of Inquiry. In case of emergency, he said there is a possibility to purchase power without tenders. Moreover, Mukul Rohatgi reminded that KCR government had purchased power from the state government. He also told the court that sub-critical technology was used for Bhadradri thermal by government agencies.
