KTR to appear before ACB in Formula E case today

Hyderabad:  BRS Working President and former Telangana minister K. T. Rama Rao (KTR) is set to appear before the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) today, June 16, 2025, in connection with alleged irregularities in the Hyderabad Formula E race. He is expected to reach the ACB office by 10 a.m.

Ahead of his appearance, a large number of BRS leaders gathered at Telangana Bhavan. MLA Padi Koushik Reddy, former MP Balka Suman, and Karthik Reddy visited KTR’s residence. Later, KTR met former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) at his residence in Nandinagar, Banjara Hills. Sources said the two discussed the developments related to the investigation.

Earlier this morning, KTR posted a statement on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), saying, “I will never be deterred by your enquiries, commissions and political vendetta. We @BRSparty will continue to expose the hollowness of #420 promises, deceptive declarations and never-to-be-trusted Six Guarantees. Bring it on Revanth.”

The ACB had issued a notice to KTR regarding the alleged diversion of ₹55 crore from the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) to Formula E Operations (FEO) without proper approvals. The funds were reportedly meant for a second race that was later canceled after the change in government in December 2023.

KTR initially received the ACB notice asking him to appear on May 28, but he sought more time, citing prior travel commitments to the UK and the USA. In a written response, he assured full cooperation with the investigation, calling the case “political harassment.”

He also took aim at Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, accusing him of orchestrating a vendetta. “I should appreciate Revanth Reddy for his thirst for political vendetta and the way he swings in any direction without scruples to achieve it,” KTR wrote. He referenced Revanth Reddy’s alleged mention in the Enforcement Directorate’s chargesheet related to the National Herald case and criticized the BJP’s silence on the matter.

“Today, I get a notice from the ACB. Revanth Reddy may fail as an administrator, a leader, and even as a human being, but he is proving himself in cheap vendetta politics. I know BRS scares him. So, keep trying,” KTR said.

The ACB investigation involves KTR, former Municipal Administration Secretary Arvind Kumar, and HMDA Chief Engineer BLN Reddy. According to sources, BLN Reddy told the Enforcement Directorate that he acted on instructions from Arvind Kumar, who in turn said he was following orders from KTR.

KTR had previously appeared before the ACB on January 6, 2025, but refused to be questioned without legal representation. On January 8, the Telangana High Court ruled that KTR could be accompanied by his lawyer during questioning. Advocate Ramachander was allowed to observe the session from an adjacent library with a view of the proceedings. The court also directed that any issues arising during the questioning be reported the following day.

In a related development, KTR was also summoned by the Enforcement Directorate for questioning on January 16, 2025, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), concerning the same case.

On January 7, 2025, the Telangana High Court dismissed KTR’s petition to quash the FIR filed against him, allowing the investigation to proceed. KTR has denied any wrongdoing and has stated that he will cooperate with the investigation.