KTR vows full cooperation after 7-hour ACB questioning in Formula E case

Hyderabad: K.T. Rama Rao (KTR), working president of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), left the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) office in Banjara Hills on Thursday, January 9, 2025, after nearly seven hours of questioning in connection with the Formula E race case and proceeded to Telangana Bhavan.

Speaking to the media outside the ACB office, KTR expressed his willingness to cooperate with the investigation. "I am fully prepared to answer their questions. This case is baseless, and they kept asking the same set of four questions during the interrogation," he said.

He further questioned the allegations, stating, “Where is the corruption when the money was directly credited to the beneficiary’s account?” KTR added that he had no objection to further questioning, saying, “I will come as many times as they ask. I have nothing to hide.”

The questioning is linked to an investigation into alleged irregularities in the Formula E race, held in Hyderabad in February 2023. The ACB is probing a ₹55 crore payment from the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) to Formula E Operations (FEO) for a second race, which was later canceled following the change in government in December 2023.

KTR defended his role in the event, highlighting that the initiative was part of his effort to boost Hyderabad's image as a hub for sustainable mobility. “Whatever I did was to enhance the brand image of Hyderabad and Telangana,” he said, refuting claims that the event benefited his family.

The ACB’s investigation also involves former Municipal Administration Secretary Arvind Kumar and HMDA Chief Engineer BLN Reddy. Reports suggest that BLN Reddy told the Enforcement Directorate (ED) he acted under Arvind Kumar's instructions, with Arvind Kumar, in turn, claiming that KTR had directed him. KTR has denied any wrongdoing and intends to address the allegations in court.

On January 8, 2025, the Telangana High Court ruled that KTR could be accompanied by his lawyer during questioning. The court allowed his lawyer, Advocate Ramachander, to observe the proceedings from a nearby library. The court also instructed that any issues arising during the investigation be reported the following day for further guidance.

Earlier, on January 6, 2025, KTR refused to be questioned without legal representation during a visit to the ACB office, citing his right to legal counsel.

In addition to the ACB inquiry, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) summoned KTR for questioning on January 16, 2025. The ED is investigating possible violations of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) related to unauthorized fund transfers abroad.

The Telangana High Court dismissed KTR’s petition to quash the FIR in the case on January 7, 2025, allowing the investigation to proceed. The court also rejected his request for 10-day arrest protection.