Fri Dec 20 08:14:06 UTC 2024: ## ED to Investigate Telangana Officials Over Formula-E Race Payments

**Hyderabad, December 20, 2024** – The Enforcement Directorate (ED) will launch an investigation into alleged financial irregularities surrounding the Formula-E race held in Hyderabad in February 2023. The investigation follows a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) against several high-profile officials, including Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K.T. Rama Rao.

The ACB’s FIR, filed on December 19th, alleges payments exceeding ₹54.88 crore were made improperly to Formula-E Operations Limited (FEO) and other entities. The complaint, lodged by Principal Secretary M. Dana Kishore, highlights that ₹45.7 crore was remitted to FEO in September and October 2023 without necessary approvals, despite the termination of their agreement with the Telangana government. An additional ₹8.06 crore in taxes was also borne by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA).

The ACB alleges these payments violated established financial procedures and caused wrongful loss to the state exchequer while benefiting private entities. The FIR names K.T. Rama Rao, former Special Chief Secretary Aravind Kumar, and former Chief Engineer of HMDA B.L.N. Reddy as key figures involved. The ED’s investigation will focus on the details outlined in the ACB’s FIR to determine the extent of the alleged wrongdoing.

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