Telangana High Court extends stay on KTR arrest in Formula E case
Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court heard arguments on financial mismanagement allegations involving the Formula E race case. Telangana High Court Justice K. Lakshman heard the arguments of both parties and extended the interim order until the pronouncement of judgment on Tuesday.
On December 21, KTR filed the petition to quash the Anti Corruption Bureau(ACB) case against him, alleging criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of Rs 55 crore.
In its counter-petition, the Additional public prosecutor representing the ACB argued for the cancellation of KTRโs interim bail, stating that his release could hinder the investigation. The bureau has also sought his custody to question him regarding the allegations.
Senior counsel T Bala Mohan Reddy, representing IAS officer M Dana Kishore, Principal Secretary to Government Municipal Administration and Urban Development, highlighted allegations of procedural violations in the Rs 55 crore payment by HMDA during the previous regime. The sum was reportedly disbursed before an agreement was finalized, contravening standard Business Rules. Reddy said this premature payment raised questions about adherence to administrative procedures and statutory compliance under the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority Act.
Further Senior counsel Reddy noted that the former Minister for Municipal Administration, overseeing the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), approved the payment despite procedural gaps. It was argued that the funds were disbursed without prior administrative sanctions, leading to a potential breach of Section 405 of the Indian Penal Code (criminal breach of trust).
Senior counsel Reddy alleged that the financial dealings violated state finance rules. He called for an investigation into whether the money was dishonestly misappropriated or misused. Further, Reddy asserted that there was clear entrustment of public funds and a violation of trust by the officials and concerned minister involved.
Defense of KTR
Senior Counsel A Prabhakar Rao, representing KTR, countered the allegations. He argued that procedural violations of business rules do not inherently constitute criminal offences. He emphasized that no evidence was presented to establish dishonesty or misappropriation. Rao noted that payments were part of an ongoing contractual obligation under an arbitration decision, maintaining that the funds were utilized for legitimate purposes.
Senior Counsel Rao rebutted the allegations and argued that the complaint lacked the necessary ingredients of criminal breach of trust or cheating. Telangana High Court reserved its order and extended the interim order until the pronouncement of judgment.
๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ก ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ญ ๐๐ฑ๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฆ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐ ๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐
On December 31, 2024, the Telangana High Court extended interim relief to BRS Working President KT Rama Rao (KTR), maintaining the stay on his arrest inโฆ pic.twitter.com/5prPBxa1qD
โ Hyderabad Mail (@Hyderabad_Mail) December 31, 2024
