Hyderabad: Reports have surfaced that Governor Jishnu Dev Varma has given his approval to prosecute BRS working president KT Rama Rao in connection with the alleged Formula-E race scam. In response, BRS party chief K Chandrashekar Rao convened a meeting with a group of legal experts to discuss the matter.
According to sources within the party, KCR sought advice from the legal team on how to handle the situation if the government proceeds with plans to implicate KTR in the alleged misuse of Formula-E race funds. The BRS leader instructed the team to consult top lawyers to effectively argue the case in court if required.
During the discussion, the legal team reportedly informed KCR that the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) committee, headed by the Chief Minister, had approved the funds. They highlighted that the CM has the discretion to allocate funds for such projects. Meanwhile, the Revanth Reddy-led government has been aggressively pursuing the case, with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) investigating alleged irregularities in the payment of ₹55 crore to the race organizers without following proper procedures.
The ACB is expected to issue notices first to the then MAUD Principal Secretary Arvind Kumar and later to KTR. Allegations have been made that ₹46 crore was paid in foreign currency, reportedly violating Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulations. However, KTR has previously denied any wrongdoing, asserting that there was no corruption involved in the Formula-E race.
KTR has explained that the event was organized to boost Hyderabad’s global brand image, attract investments, and create job opportunities. He clarified that the funds were allocated as part of a tripartite agreement involving Hyderabad’s urban development body HMDA, the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile), and private sponsors.
