Formula E case: ACB summons KTR on May 28; he says will appear after returning from US

Hyderabad: Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau has again summoned BRS Working President and Sircilla MLA KT Rama Rao for questioning in the Formula E case.

ACB has issued a notice to KTR asking him to appear before the agency on May 28 concerning the Formula E case. This is the third time the former minister has been summoned in the same case.

KTR has confirmed to have received a notice from ACB. He said he will cooperate with the investigating agency, though the case is “pure harassment”.

Statement by KTR

“The ACB has given me a notice to appear for an enquiry on the 28th of May in the Formula E case. As a law-abiding citizen, I will cooperate with the agencies even though the case is nothing but pure political harassment. As I have planned to leave for the UK & USA for multiple events, much in advance, I will appear in front of them the moment I come back. Informed the same to ACB officials in writing,” he said.

“But I should appreciate Revanth Reddy for his thirst for political vendetta and the way he swings in any direction without any scruples. 48 hours ago, his name figures in the ED chargesheet for supplying money in the National Herald case. 24 hours later, Revanth Reddy is seen schmoozing with BJP top brass, including PM Modi! Not a word against Revanth Reddy from even a single BJP leader for his involvement in the money laundering case!!. Today, I got a notice from the ACB. Well! He 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. Jai Telangana.”

What is the case

Weeks after the Congress government came to power in Telangana, authorities found that the government paid Rs 46 crores and Rs 8 crores as taxes to the international agency -M/S ABB Formula E, the organizers of Formula E season 10 in Hyderabad. This was sans the cabinet approval. Following this, a memo was served to IAS Arvind Kumar asking why such a transaction was carried out and with whose permission.

Congress’ main allegations were: “Why did BRS spend Rs 55 crores on Formula E? And why was no action taken against Ace Nxt Gen, a subsidiary of Greenko, for defaulting and backing out of the event?”

Subsequently, the event scheduled to be held in February 2024 was cancelled, and the promoters cited ' breach of contract'.

Following this, the Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau filed a case and began an investigation. Parallely, the Enforcement Directorate has also filed a case.