Fri Dec 27 14:49:13 UTC 2024: ## Telangana High Court Extends Protection From Arrest for KTR in Formula-E Corruption Case

**Hyderabad, December 27, 2024** – The Telangana High Court granted a temporary reprieve to K.T. Rama Rao (KTR), the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president and former minister, extending his protection from arrest until Tuesday. KTR is embroiled in a corruption case filed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) concerning alleged financial irregularities related to the Formula-E race held in Hyderabad during the BRS’s tenure.

The ACB alleges that the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) made foreign remittances totaling ₹54.88 crore to the Formula E organisers without obtaining necessary approvals from regulatory authorities. This resulted in an additional tax burden of ₹8.06 crore, according to the ACB’s counter affidavit. The affidavit also highlighted the lack of administrative sanction from the government and the Finance department for the release of these funds, which were drawn from HMDA’s general funds. Further, ₹1.10 crore was paid to the Federation of Motor Sports Club of India without proper approvals. The ACB claims these payments violated Secretariat Business Rules.

KTR, who served as the Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development at the time, countered these allegations in his reply. He argued that the ACB failed to specify which regulatory authorities required approval and that the bank, as the authorized dealer, is responsible for ensuring compliance. He also denied causing any financial loss to the state exchequer, instead blaming the current government for failing to honor its commitment to the Formula E organisers. The court will hear the case again on Tuesday.

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