Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma has sanctioned the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s (ACB) request to initiate prosecution proceedings against Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president and former minister KT Rama Rao, commonly known as KTR, over alleged irregularities in the organization of the Formula-E racing event in Hyderabad.
The approval, conveyed late Wednesday, clears a key procedural hurdle for the ACB, which had formally approached the Governor’s office on September 9 seeking permission to proceed under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Officials confirmed that the nod paves the way for formal charges against Rama Rao, who served as the state’s Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister during the BRS government’s tenure from 2014 to 2023.
The case centers on accusations of financial mismanagement and undue favors extended to private entities involved in hosting the high-profile electric vehicle racing championship in February 2023. The Formula-E event, billed as a landmark initiative to position Hyderabad as a global motorsport hub, drew international attention but quickly became mired in controversy after the Congress-led government assumed power last December.
Investigations revealed claims of ₹55 crore in unauthorized expenditures from state funds, including payments to event promoters without proper tenders or approvals. KTR, a vocal proponent of the race, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, labeling the probe as a politically motivated vendetta by the ruling Congress party.
Reacting to the Governor’s decision, BRS leaders decried it as a ‘black mark on democratic norms,’ with party spokesperson Krishank alleging that the delay in approval, spanning over 70 days, reflected selective enforcement of the law.
On the other hand, Congress spokespersons hailed the move as a triumph of accountability, pointing to the ACB’s diligence in unearthing ‘blatant misuse of public money for personal glory.’ The ruling party has accused the BRS of inflating costs and awarding contracts to cronies, a charge that Mr. Rama Rao dismissed in a recent social media post as ‘fabricated lies to silence opposition voices.’
Adding another layer to the unfolding drama, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) announced plans to submit an independent prosecution complaint in the same matter, focusing on potential money laundering angles linked to the event’s funding. This dual probe could escalate the scrutiny on KTR, who remains a prominent figure in Telangana politics and a potential chief ministerial candidate for BRS in future elections.
The Formula-E case underscored broader concerns over the legacy projects of the previous administration, including questions about transparency in public-private partnerships. As the ACB gears up for deeper inquiries, including summoning key witnesses and auditing financial trails, the opposition has vowed to challenge the proceedings in court, arguing that they infringe on constitutional protections for former officials.