In a significant turn of events, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has issued notices to K.T. Rama Rao (KTR), former minister and working president of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), in connection with the ongoing Formula E car racing case. KTR has been instructed to appear before the ACB for questioning on January 6, 2025, at 10 AM. Along with KTR, senior IAS officer Arvind Kumar and former Chief Engineer of HMDA, B.L.N. Reddy, have also received notices.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has joined the investigation, issuing a separate notice to KTR to appear before them on January 7, 2025. The dual action by ACB and ED has sparked widespread political discussion across the state.
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The investigation has been initiated by the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), following the FIR filed by the ACB. The ED is probing alleged violations of FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act) regulations.
In response to the case filed by ACB, KTR approached the Telangana High Court, filing a petition to quash the case. KTR argued that the case was fabricated and without merit. The High Court, after hearing the petition, issued an interim order on December 31, 2024, directing authorities not to arrest KTR until further orders. The court subsequently reserved its judgment after the hearing, instructing police not to take any arrest action until the final decision is made.
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