HYDERABAD: The ACB has summoned BRS working president KT Rama Rao to appear before it on January 9 for questioning in the alleged Formula-E race case, without his legal team accompanying him.
Meanwhile, the former minister has written to the Enforcement Directorate — investigating allegations of money laundering and violations under the FEMA concerning the transfer of `55 crore to foreign companies — informing it that the High Court is set to pronounce its orders on his quash petition on Tuesday. In his letter, Rama Rao requested the ED to give him time to attend.
Earlier in the day, he reached the ACB office along with his legal team but was stopped by the police who informed him that the advocates could not be allowed inside. An argument ensued and about 40 minutes later, Rama Rao handed over a written note and returned to the Telangana Bhavan, the BRS headquarters.
Give details of documents you sought: KTR to ACB
In his note, Rama Rao told the ACB: “In your notice, you have not given details of the information and documents sought from me pertaining to the case. You are requested to give details of the documents sought from me pertaining to the case to enable me to take necessary action after being given reasonable time. Being a law-abiding citizen, I will cooperate in the matter subject to constitutional and legal rights as provided by law”.
According to sources, the ACB has decided to inform the high court that Rama Rao refused to cooperate with the investigation.
After the high drama at the ACB office, Rama Rao addressed the media, accusing Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of imposing his “unconstitutional practices” in Telangana. He alleged that the Congress government was infringing on his rights.
“The government arrested former MLA Narender Reddy after implicating him using fabricated statements,” he charged.
Rama Rao also alleged a conspiracy to plant illegal items in his residence as part of a politically motivated agenda. He claimed the ACB inquiry was an attempt to divert public attention from the Congress government’s unfulfilled promises and what he termed its “betrayal” of farmers.
He vowed to expose government failures and criticised the Congress for its “420 promises.”
Meanwhile, the ruling Congress has accused the BRS of receiving over `40 crore in donations through the now-scrapped Electoral Bond from GreenCo, a Formula E Race sponsor, between April and October 2022. Congress MLA G Madhusudhan Reddy and other leaders levelled the allegations on Monday.
However, Rama Rao dismissed the allegations, stating that Electoral Bonds were legal and the donation had no connection to the Formula E race. He also pointed out that the Congress too benefited from donations made through Electoral Bonds.
Meanwhile, it is speculated that IAS officer Arvind Kumar and former HMDA chief engineer BLN Reddy, may seek more time to appear before the ACB in connection with the Formula E race case.
