What Is The Case Against KT Rama Rao? All About 2023 Formula E Race Irregularities

Former Telangana minister KT Rama Rao (KTR) landed in legal trouble after a corruption case was filed against him over alleged irregularities in the Formula E race held in February 2023 in Hyderabad. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has accused KTR of ordering a transfer of Rs 55 crore to the Formula E organisers without proper documentation or cabinet approval. The transfers were allegedly made on verbal orders after the announcement of the Telangana elections, bypassing the cabinet approval and Election Commission. Furthermore, the payment was made in pounds without the clearance of the Reserve Bank of India.KTR, however, has denied all the allegations, claiming that he is being targeted by the newly formed Congress government of Revanth Reddy. Following ACB's request to the Telangana Governor, Jishnu Dev Varma, seeking permission to investigate him, the former Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD) minister stated, "It is the governor's discretion. I have no objection if the governor permits prosecution. We welcome it. We are ready for any inquiry."

All About the Corruption CaseFormer MAUD principal secretary Arvind Kumar, according to the NDTV report, admitted to transferring Rs 55 crore to the event organisers, including Rs 9 crore in taxes, on the verbal orders of KTR. The transfer is said to have occurred without prior approval from the cabinet and without seeking the Election Commission’s permission, as the elections in Telangana were already announced at the time. Additionally, it has been alleged that the payment was made in pounds, which had not been cleared by the Reserve Bank of India.The irregularities are connected to a tripartite agreement signed in 2022 between the MAUD, Formula E Organisers (FEO), and Ace Nxt Gen Pvt Ltd for the organisation of the Formula E race seasons 9, 10, 11, and 12. The ninth season of the race took place in Hyderabad on February 10-11, 2023, while the next season was scheduled for February 2024. Ace Nxt Gen later dropped out, citing losses, and FEO was willing to organise the next season. In this context, Arvind Kumar allegedly transferred Rs 55 crore to FEO on KTR’s verbal orders.Following the Congress party’s rise to power in Telangana, the Formula E organisers pulled out of the race, and the February 2024 event was cancelled.