Formula E race case: Telangana HC reserves order on quashing FIR against BRS leader K T Rama Rao

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Tuesday had reserved its judgement in the quash petition filed by BRS working president K T Rama Rao against the FIR filed by ACB in connection with the alleged irregularities and corruption in conducting the Formula E Race. Justice K Lakshman’s bench also extended the interim orders prohibiting an arrest till the court gave its judgement.

A few days ago, the Telangana High Court granted KTR interim bail while admitting his petition to quash the FIR the ACB had registered against him.

Appearing on behalf of KTR, senior advocate Siddharth Dave on Tuesday had argued that there was no evidence of corruption or misappropriation of funds in conducting the race. He also asserted that KTR did not receive any personal benefit or used those funds.

The government's advocate general, A Sudarshan Reddy, argued that payments were made to the organisers even before the race was held. Since the arguments from both sides have concluded, the high court bench has reserved its decision.

Telangana's ACB on December 19 registered an FIR against KTR and two other senior government officials for alleged misuse of government funds and irregularities in organising the Formula E Race during the BRS regime.

The FIR named KTR as the prime accused, the then MA & UD secretary; A. Arvind Kumar, as the second accused; and the former chief engineer of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), BLN Reddy, as the third accused.

They were booked under Sections 13(1)(A) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, along with Sections 409 and 120(B) of the IPC. It is alleged that Rs 55 crore, including taxes, was paid by HMDA to the foreign company FEO in violation of RBI guidelines.

The FIR also mentions a statement by Arvind Kumar, who said that he transferred the funds upon the instructions of the competent authority, the then MA&UD minister, KTR.