SC Rejects KTR's Quash Petition In Formula E Case

Former minister and BRS working president K T Rama Rao today faced a setback in the Supreme Court (SC) when the Special Leave Petition he filed seeking the quashing of the case filed by the Telangana ACB against him in the Formula E race payments was dismissed.

The SC bench, comprising Justices Bela M Trivedi and Prasanna Varai, refused to intervene in the High Court's decision.

For context, KTR had previously filed a quash petition in the Telangana High Court (HC) seeking the dismissal of the case registered by the ACB. The HC had refused to do so. He then approached the SC on January 8, challenging the HC's order.

KTR's lawyer C A Sundaram informed the apex court that the case had been registered against the former minister for political reasons. He argued that case was filed because KTR was the leader of a prominent opposition party. In response, Justice Trivedi told KTR that he should face the cases nevertheless.

Sundaram then requested the bench to allow KTR to withdraw his petition.

It is worth noting that KTR is scheduled to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) tomorrow (January 16) for questioning in the Formula E case. The ED has been investigating the case based on the ACB FIR, which was registered on charges of money laundering and violations of FEMA norms, including the transfer of Rs 55 crore without following proper procedures.

He had already appeared before the ACB twice in connection with the same case.