Telangana High Court Refuses To Quash FIR Against BRS MLA KT Rama Rao In Formula E Race "Scam" Case

The Telangana High Court on Tuesday (January 7) refused to quash the FIR lodged against BRS MLA KT Rama Rao over alleged irregularities in the conduct of Formula-E race in Hyderabad when BRS was in power.

After hearing the matter for some time Justice K Lakshman refused to quash the FIR against Rao. 

Rao has been booked under provisions of the IPC including criminal breach of trust by public servant under Sections 409 and criminal conspiracy under Section 120(B) as well as Section 13(1)(a) and 13(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act. The BRS leader moved the high court in plea for quashing of the FIR. On December 20, the high court had granted him interim protection from arrest which was extended by the high court on December 31, till passing of orders. 

Rao's counsel argued that the FIR was politically motivated, premature and instituted without conducting a preliminary enquiry as mandated by multiple Supreme Court judgements. It was argued that the State had stepped into the shoes of the sponsors, who originally were to fund the Formula-E races, but backed out. Be that as it may, the petitioner contended that there was a substantial delay in the registration of FIR since the incident had taken place over 14 months ago. It was contended that, based on a complaint registered 14 months after the alleged offence, the investigating authority had gone ahead and registered the FIR without even as much as conducting an preliminary inquiry.

The prosecution has alleged that when Rama Rao was the minister for Department of Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD) he did not take approvals regarding the conducting of the event and that there is serious flaw in the approvals which is not in accordance with the relevant business rules. The State argued that prima facie there was an irregularity and funds were misappropriated. That a complete picture could be painted only after a thorough investigation was done and all relevant facts were brought to light. In reply to the allegation that no preliminary investigation was conducted, the state contended that prior permission was also taken from the governor before initiating a complaint, which was indicative of procedural compliance. 

Case title: KT Rama Rao v/s State of Telangana (ACB)

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