Relief for KTR in Formula E Race Case
Hyderabad: K. Taraka Rama Rao (KTR), former Minister for Municipal Administration and current MLA of Sircilla, received partial relief from the Telangana High Court on Wednesday. Justice Kunuru Lakshman, hearing his lunch motion writ, allowed KTR to be accompanied by an advocate during his visit to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) office on January 9. Senior counsel J. Ramchander Rao will accompany KTR during the investigation.
However, the court rejected a request made by KTR’s counsel, J. Prabhakar, to record the entire investigation via audio and video. KTR had approached the court after the ACB investigating officer denied his earlier request to have a lawyer present during the investigation.
KTR was summoned by the ACB on January 6 to appear at their office in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, as part of an inquiry into allegations of Rs. 50 crores being paid to a private company without following proper procedures.
During the hearing, the judge clarified that while an advocate may accompany KTR, the lawyer cannot be present directly during the interrogation. The court cited a previous judgment in a similar case involving Avinash Reddy, an MP and accused in the murder of former minister Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy. In that case, the advocate was allowed to stay within visible range of the accused but at a distance where the conversation could not be heard. Additionally, audio and video recording were permitted in that case since the accused suspected tampering with statements by the investigating officer.
The judge emphasized that the same conditions would not apply here. Instead, KTR’s advocate will only be allowed to ensure visibility during the investigation but without audio access. The court also directed the ACB to ensure compliance with these guidelines.
Finally, the judge adjourned the writ hearing until after the Sankranti vacation. He gave KTR the liberty to approach the High Court again if there is any deviation from the court’s directives during the investigation.
