Formula E: High Court Reserves Verdict In KTR's Case

The Telangana High Court today concluded hearing arguments on a petition filed by BRS working president K T Rama Rao seeking to quash the ACB case against him related to the Formula E race.

The court reserved its verdict.

The court also issued directions to the ACB to not arrest KTR until the verdict was pronounced.

The interim order preventing his arrest, previously extended until December 31, remains in effect.

KTR's petition had sought the annulment of the case, and senior advocate Siddharth Dave represented him.

Dave argued that Section 409 of the IPC did not apply to KTR, as there was no misappropriation of funds linked to the race.

"KTR did not personally benefit from the funds. He did not receive a single rupee from the transaction. Applying Section 409 in this context could create unnecessary confusion. No minister will sign files if such misinterpretations persist. We will present examples from the Bombay High Court," Dave argued.

He said that KTR had acted in his capacity as a State minister, and that all funds were transferred to the organizing company through official banking channels.

"Even the Rs 8 crore cited by the ACB did not end up in KTR's account. All funds are clearly directed to the organizers," he said.

The court asked the ACB why the case was registered under IPC sections despite the implementation of the BNS. The Advocate General (AG), representing the ACB, responded that the crime occurred 14 months ago, necessitating registration under IPC sections. He also said that payments were made before the finalisation of the race deal.

The court then inquired about the progress of the investigation. The AG said that the case was still in its preliminary stages, and assured the court that all evidence would eventually surface. He said that the complainant, Dana Kishore, had already provided a statement.

The court also inquired whether co-accused Arvind Kumar and B L N Reddy had filed petitions. The AG confirmed that neither had filed petitions, and that no arrests had been made so far. He also clarified that the FIR against KTR had been filed only after securing the Governor's permission.

Senior advocate C V Mohan Reddy appeared on behalf of Dana Kishore. Reddy said that municipal officials operated under the supervision of the Municipal Administration Minister, who at the time was KTR. He told the court that KTR had approved payments related to the race, and that the procedural rules were violated in the matter.

Justice Laxman presided over the bench.