Telangana High Court Hears KTR’s Quash Petition in Formula E Case
The Telangana High Court today heard a petition filed by former minister K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) seeking to quash the case registered by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) concerning the Formula E car racing event. The case, registered during the tenure of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government, alleges the misuse of public funds related to the event.
During the hearing, the court sought clarification from the government counsel regarding the specifics of the allegations. The ACB’s representative argued that payments made for the event violated several regulations, leading to the invocation of sections under the Prevention of Corruption Act and criminal conspiracy laws. They stated that payments totaling ₹46 crores in foreign currency were made without adhering to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulations. Additionally, the bureau claimed that payments exceeding ₹10 crores by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) required prior approval from the Finance Department, which was allegedly not obtained.
The ACB further argued that the Formula E Operations company, involved in the event, was not included in the FIR and questioned whether proper procedures were followed in disbursing funds. They highlighted that the payment note bore KTR’s signature in his capacity as a minister, implicating him in the case.
In defense, Senior Supreme Court lawyer Sidharth Dave, representing KTR, countered the allegations, arguing that the charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act were not applicable. Dave pointed out that the agreement for the event was signed by an official and that the principal secretary of the Urban Development Department had signed the agreement, which came under their jurisdiction. He emphasized that KTR did not personally benefit from the payments, and the ACB lacked substantial evidence to support the corruption claims. Dave also referenced legal precedents to support his argument for the dismissal of the FIR.
The Advocate General is set to present arguments after the lunch break. The court’s decision on the petition remains pending.
