Telangana power projects inquiry

Hyderabad: Retired Justice Madan Bhimrao Lokur has been appointed as the new chairman of the commission of inquiry into power purchase agreements (PPA) with Chhattisgarh and the construction of Yadadri and Bhadradri power projects during the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) governments in Telangana. This development follows the resignation of Justice L Narasimha Reddy, who previously headed the commission.

Justice Reddy resigned recently after former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) appealed to the Supreme Court against the inquiry commission and its chairman. KCR had also criticized the Congress-run Telangana government’s decision to conduct an inquiry into the power projects.

Justice Madan Lokur, a seasoned legal professional, was enrolled as an advocate on July 28, 1977. He practiced in the Supreme Court of India and the Delhi High Court. From December 1990 to December 1996, he served as the central government standing counsel, handling various cases on behalf of the central government, including criminal trials related to economic offenses.

Justice Lokur has held several prominent judicial positions. He was the acting Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, Chief Justice of the Guwahati High Court, Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, and later appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court on June 4, 2012. During his tenure as Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh, he made headlines by suspending CBI Judge Pattabhi Rama Rao for accepting bribes to grant bail to mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy in the OMC scandal.

Justice Lokur has shown a strong commitment to judicial reforms, court computerization, judicial education, legal aid, juvenile justice, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR). He was also appointed as a “One Man Committee” to suggest improvements in the functioning of homes and organizations under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Rules, 2007. He retired from service in December 2018.

The resignation of Justice L Narasimha Reddy, who was heading the commission of inquiry into alleged irregularities in the power sector during the BRS regime, occurred on Tuesday, July 16. His resignation followed the Supreme Court’s oral disapproval of his public statements made through a press conference.

Former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao filed a plea before the Supreme Court bench, challenging the appointment of a fact-finding committee to investigate executive actions taken by him during his term as Chief Minister. During the hearing, a three-judge bench requested the Telangana Government to suggest a substitute name to replace the present head of the commission probing the alleged irregularities in power procurement during the BRS regime.

Justice Lokur’s appointment brings a wealth of experience and integrity to the commission of inquiry. His track record of handling high-profile cases and his dedication to judicial reform are expected to lend credibility and thoroughness to the investigation into the power projects and agreements.

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