KTR Leaves ACB Office Amid Controversy Over Lawyer's Exclusion in Formula-E Investigation

Hyderabad, Jan 6 (NationPress) In a scene filled with tension, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K.T. Rama Rao departed from the Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) office without undergoing interrogation in the Formula E race case, due to the refusal to allow his lawyer to be present during the questioning.

The former minister arrived at the ACB headquarters located in Banjara Hills alongside his lawyer, but police halted their vehicle, citing a lack of authorization for the lawyer's attendance. KTR firmly asserted his right to have legal representation during the proceedings.

While waiting in his car, he engaged in discussions with police officials. When it became clear that his lawyer would not be allowed entry, the BRS leader submitted a written statement to the ACB officials before departing.

Afterward, KTR arrived at the party's headquarters, Telangana Bhavan, and shared that he would determine his next steps once the Telangana High Court issues its ruling on his quash petition.

Earlier, addressing the media outside the ACB office, he expressed his desire for legal representation, suspecting a government-led conspiracy aimed at framing him. He pointed out that the police had previously summoned BRS leader Patnam Narender Reddy for inquiry in the Lagacherla incident and falsely claimed that Reddy had made a confession implicating KTR.

KTR further alleged that the Revanth Reddy administration orchestrated a plan to conduct a raid on his residence following his questioning at the ACB office, raising concerns that the government might attempt to tarnish his reputation through such actions.

Last month, the ACB initiated a case against KTR, former Special Chief Secretary to the Government Arvind Kumar, and ex-Chief Engineer of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) B.L.N. Reddy over alleged irregularities amounting to Rs 54.88 crore in the Formula-E deal.

The FIR was filed based on a complaint from M. Dana Kishore, Principal Secretary to the Government, MA&UD department, who claimed that foreign remittances were executed without the necessary approvals from relevant regulatory bodies, resulting in an extra tax burden of Rs. 8.06 crore for HMDA.

The complainant also accused that payments were made while the Model Code of Conduct was in effect for the State Legislative Assembly elections, without any prior consent from the Election Commission of India.

The FIR has been lodged under the Prevention of Corruption Act and various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 409 (criminal breach of trust) and 120B (criminal conspiracy).

KTR, who served as the Municipal Administration Minister during the previous BRS government, has also been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for January 7 regarding the Formula E case amid allegations of money laundering.

Furthermore, the ED has requested Arvind Kumar and B.L.N. Reddy to appear before them on January 8 and 9, respectively.

Denying any corruption claims, KTR has filed a quash petition in the Telangana High Court, which reserved its judgment on December 31 and instructed the ACB not to apprehend him until the orders are issued.