The Congress government in Telangana, led by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, has intensified its efforts to address the Formula E scandal, which allegedly involves former IT Minister and current BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao (KTR). In a significant development, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has officially registered a case related to the scandal.
KTR has been named as the primary accused (A1) in the case, followed by IAS officer Aravind Kumar (A2) and former HMDA Chief Engineer BLN Reddy (A3). The allegations revolve around the misuse of government funds and a transaction deemed to be in violation of regulatory guidelines.
Case Details
The ACB has registered the case under the following sections:
Sections 13(1)(A) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which pertain to criminal misconduct by a public servant.
Sections 409 and 120(B) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), addressing criminal breach of trust and conspiracy.
All these sections are non-bailable, potentially placing KTR in a challenging legal situation. Reports suggest that the accusations could lead to his arrest, further intensifying the political ramifications.
Allegations Against KTR
The crux of the case involves an alleged illicit payment of ₹45 crore by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) to the foreign entity Formula E Operations (FEO). It is claimed that this transaction violated Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines and was carried out without requisite cabinet or Finance Department approvals.
According to the ACB, KTR verbally approved the payment, making him directly accountable for the transaction. The IAS officer Aravind Kumar and former Chief Engineer BLN Reddy are also accused of facilitating the unauthorized payment.
Political Reactions
The scandal has sparked intense political debates, with Congress leaders asserting that this case exemplifies rampant corruption under the previous administration. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has publicly emphasized his government’s commitment to combating corruption and holding influential figures accountable.
In response to the allegations, KTR has dismissed the charges as politically motivated. “I am ready to face any investigation or even go to jail if these allegations are proven true. However, these accusations are baseless and intended to tarnish my reputation,” he said during a recent media interaction.
Implications
The registration of the case by the ACB marks a critical juncture in Telangana politics. If proven, the allegations could have far-reaching consequences for KTR and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), potentially reshaping the political landscape of the state. The case also highlights the broader issue of accountability and governance in high-stakes international events organized with public funds.
Conclusion
As the investigation unfolds, all eyes will be on the ACB’s findings and the legal proceedings that follow. For now, the Formula E scandal remains a contentious issue, reflecting the complex intersection of governance, international partnerships, and political accountability in Telangana.
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