Hyderabad: Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose, heading the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into various aspects of Kaleshwaram project, on Wednesday began cross examining of witnesses starting with former engineer-in-chief of the irrigation department C. Muralidhar. Justice Ghose is expected to continue these cross-examinations, in an open court, over the next week or so of all those who have deposed before him so far. He is also expected to call for the examination of some other officials and also possibly politicians involved in the decision making process on the Kaleshwaram project in the former BRS government.
Justice Ghose had Muralidhar take an oath that he will only speak the truth before beginning the cross-examination, at the Commission office in BRK Bhavan. Justice Ghose asked Muralidhar questions on how bills were paid to the contractors before completion of the works, and quality tests were completed on the works.
He also questioned Muralidhar on why the designs of the barrages at Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla were changed midway. Muralidhar agreed that several mistakes were made in the Kaleshwaram project. He also said some of the mistakes were on account of decisions and action of irrigation officials on the ground resulting in some losses. As far as the payment of bills was concerned, he said approvals were given based on reports from field officials.
