Tue Jan 07 11:10:00 IST 2025: **High Court Rejects KTR’s Plea in Formula E Case; Anti-Corruption Bureau Investigation to Continue**
HYDERABAD, INDIA – The Telangana High Court today dismissed a petition filed by K.T. Rama Rao (KTR), working president of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and former minister, seeking to quash a case filed against him by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). The case relates to alleged irregularities in payments made for the Formula E race.
The court rejected KTR’s plea to dismiss the ACB case and lifted its earlier interim order preventing his arrest. A request to extend the interim protection for another 10 days was also denied. KTR is reportedly consulting with his legal team and considering an appeal to the Supreme Court. The Telangana government has preemptively filed a caveat petition in the Supreme Court, ensuring it’s heard should KTR appeal.
The ACB, represented by Advocate General A. Sudarshan Reddy, argued that payments amounting to ₹46 crore (approximately $5.6 million USD) were made in British pounds before a contract for the Formula E season 10 was finalized, violating regulations. The Advocate General informed the court that the investigation is in its preliminary stages and all evidence will be brought to light, citing the already recorded statement of complainant Danakishore. The court also enquired about petitions from other accused, Arvind Kumar and B.L.N. Reddy, but the AG confirmed none had been filed, and no arrests had been made in the case. The AG also stated that an FIR was filed only after receiving the Governor’s permission.
KTR’s legal team, led by Supreme Court senior advocate Siddharth Dave, argued that the sections of law invoked by the ACB were not applicable to KTR, and that the FIR did not indicate any personal benefit or corruption on his part. They highlighted that the agreement for the Formula E race was signed by the Municipal Department’s Principal Secretary and Formula E Operations, and that including KTR, who was the Municipal Administration Minister at the time, as an accused was unwarranted. They cited several High Court precedents supporting their argument.
The complainant’s lawyer, senior advocate C.P. Mohan Reddy, countered that the Municipal Department officers operate under the Minister’s supervision, and that KTR, as the then-minister, approved the documents related to the race payments. He alleged violations of several regulations in the handling of the race finances. KTR now faces the possibility of arrest and the prospect of a protracted legal battle.
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