The Telangana High Court dismissed the petition filed by KT Rama Rao (KTR), working president of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), on Tuesday, seeking to quash the First Information Report (FIR) registered against him in connection with alleged irregularities in the conduct of the Formula E race in Hyderabad. This decision marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into alleged financial misconduct.
Background of the Case
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) registered an FIR in December 2024, alleging that KTR authorised payments amounting to Rs 55 crore, primarily in foreign currency, to Formula E Organisation Ltd without obtaining mandatory approvals from the state cabinet or the finance department. These payments were purportedly linked to hosting the prestigious Formula E race in February 2023 in Hyderabad.
Telangana: ACB registered case against KTR in alleged Formula E scamhttps://t.co/EmEaHh5zvK
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) December 19, 2024
The Telangana High Court, under the bench of Justice K. Lakshman, dismissed the criminal petition filed by KTR, who stands as Accused No. 1 in Crime No. 12/ROC-CIU ACB-2024. The case, registered by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), involves serious allegations under Section 13(1)(a) read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 409 read with Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). KTR’s Response
Following the High Court’s refusal to quash the FIR, KTR dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, labelling them as diversionary tactics aimed at tarnishing his reputation. He stated, “I have nothing to hide and will cooperate fully with the investigation.” KTR also announced his intention to approach the Supreme Court for relief against the High Court’s decision.
#WATCH | Hyderabad, Telangana: On the Telangana High Court dismissing the quash petition filed by him in the Formula-E race case, BRS working president KT Rama Rao says, "I am hoping that I will get a positive result in the Supreme Court. This case that has been foisted in me is… pic.twitter.com/DFXWQWGPRW
— ANI (@ANI) January 7, 2025
Investigation to Continue
The High Court has directed KTR to cooperate with the ongoing investigation, removing the protection against arrest previously granted to him. The ACB is now expected to intensify its probe into the allegations, which have raised questions about transparency in government spending and adherence to financial protocols.
Political Reactions
The case has sparked intense political debates in Telangana, with opposition parties demanding accountability and transparency. Supporters of KTR, on the other hand, have criticised the allegations, viewing them as an attempt to derail his political career.
Medak BJP MP Raghunandan Rao Madhavaneni remarked, “If KTR has nothing to hide, he should cooperate with the ACB authorities and face the investigation instead of finding excuses to avoid the probe. Initially, KTR claimed the case had no basis; later, he admitted to the payments. Now, however, he seems hesitant to repeat the same statement before the authorities.”
— Raghunandan Rao Madhavaneni (@RaghunandanraoM) January 7, 2025
BJP spokesperson & Media Incharge NV Subash highlighted that the gravity of the charges is underscored by the involvement of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which has also issued notices to KTR. He called on KTR to cooperate fully with investigative agencies, including the state ACB and central agencies like the ED, to clear his name if he has done no wrong.
Congress leaders have countered the BRS with sharp remarks, questioning KTR’s actions in the Formula E case. They stated, “You call it a ‘trivial case’ and a ‘groundless case’, so why are you running to the Supreme Court? KTR is trembling even at the thought of appearing for the investigation. Unable to face the ACB without a lawyer, he has displayed a cowardly attitude and fled, unable to answer the ACB officials’ questions.”
