Telangana IAS Official Arvind Kumar Interrogated by ED in Formula-E Financial Inquiry
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In Hyderabad on January 9, NationPress reports that former Special Chief Secretary of the Municipal Administration & Urban Development Department, Arvind Kumar, appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in relation to the alleged financial irregularities concerning the Formula-E race, which also involves BRS leader K.T. Rama Rao.
The senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer arrived at the ED's regional office around 11 a.m. on Thursday.
The ED is investigating this case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), stemming from a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
This central agency is examining potential breaches of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).
On Wednesday, the former chief engineer of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), B.L.N. Reddy, was interrogated by the ED for nine hours.
During the questioning, Reddy was reportedly asked about the transfer of approximately Rs.55 crore to the UK-based Formula-E Operations (FEO), allegedly in contravention of FEMA and PMLA regulations.
Reddy was also questioned as to why no approval was sought from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for this transfer.
Arvind Kumar is expected to face inquiries based on Reddy's statements.
The former HMDA official allegedly indicated that he acted under the directives of Arvind Kumar.
Earlier, the ED had issued summons to both Reddy and Arvind Kumar to appear on January 2 and 3, respectively, but they requested additional time.
Last month, the ACB filed an FIR against BRS working president and former minister K.T. Rama Rao, Arvind Kumar, and Reddy for supposed financial irregularities in payments made by HMDA to FEO and related entities, without following the proper financial protocols.
The FIR was lodged under Sections 13 (1) (A) and 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, along with Sections 409 and 120 (B) of the Indian Penal Code.
Previous to this, Arvind Kumar was questioned by the ACB for about six hours on Wednesday.
K.T. Rama Rao, identified as the primary accused in the case, appeared before the ACB on Thursday. He is set to meet with the ED on January 16.
On Tuesday, the ED issued a new notice to K.T. Rama Rao, instructing him to appear on January 16 following his failure to show up previously. The BRS leader had requested more time to meet with the agency.
