Senior counsel C.A. Sundaram representing KTR in Formula E Race concludes arguments

Hyderabad: BRS Working president and MLA K.T. Rama Rao(KTR) sought to quash the Anti corruption Bureau(ACB)’s First Information Report(FIR) in the Formula E race case, with his counsel arguing the case represents political vendetta rather than corruption, during a hearing at the Telangana High Court before Justice NV Shravan Kumar.
Senior counsel C.A. Sundaram, representing KTR, questioned the basis of charges under Section 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 409 IPC. He argued there was no misappropriation of funds, as the money was paid to third-party organizers who weren’t named as accused in the case.
“The government stepped in to safeguard the event when the sponsor backed out. The worst case against me is that procedures weren’t followed during the sponsorship event. That’s the only charge,” Sundaram told the court.
The counsel highlighted the 14-month delay in filing the FIR, noting the complaint was filed on December 18 and the FIR was registered the next day without inquiry. “This goes against the Supreme Court’s orders,” Sundaram argued.
Addressing the corruption allegations, Sundaram emphasized that there wasn’t “even a whisper of personal interest” against KTR. He maintained that while the decision might be questioned, it didn’t constitute corruption.
The counsel raised questions about the Model Code of Conduct violation, arguing it involved an existing contract rather than a new one. “This is nothing but a civil issue, and whether the race contract should have been continued or terminated is a policy decision for which KTR cannot be held liable,” Sundaram stated.
Regarding the organizers weren’t named as accused, Sundaram suggested this might be due to ongoing arbitration proceedings. He requested the court to direct the state to file a reply and stay proceedings against KTR.
On 19, December,2024, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) registered a First Information Report (FIR) against K.T. Rama Rao (KTR), former Minister and working president of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), for alleged financial irregularities during the Formula E race in Hyderabad in February 2023.
KTR is the prime accused in the FIR. The case also implicates former Municipal Administration Department Special Chief Secretary Arvind Kumar and HMDA Chief Engineer B.L.N. Reddy as other accused.
ACB booked a case under section 13 (1) (a) r/w 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 (as amended in 2018) and Sec.409 r/w 120-B IPC, and took up the investigation.