Hyderabad, September 18, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President K.T. Rama Rao on Friday appeared before the Special ACB Court in Hyderabad in connection with the Formula E race case. Other accused, including senior IAS officer Arvind Kumar and former Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) Chief Engineer B.L.N. Reddy, also appeared before the court.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter to October 30.
Rama Rao, popularly known as KTR, appeared in response to the court summons. This was his second personal appearance in the case. He had earlier appeared before the court on July 31 and had sought exemption from personal appearance on August 25.
The case relates to alleged financial irregularities in the conduct of the Formula E race in Hyderabad during the previous BRS government. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has alleged that around Rs 55 crore was transferred from the HMDA to a foreign entity without following the required financial procedures and approvals.
KTR has been named as the primary accused in the case, while Arvind Kumar and B.L.N. Reddy are also accused. The ACB had registered the case in December 2024 over alleged irregularities in payments linked to the event.
The ACB has questioned KTR several times during its investigation. KTR has denied wrongdoing and has described the case as politically motivated, maintaining that the Formula E event was aimed at promoting Hyderabad and Telangana and attracting investment in the electric vehicle sector.
Speaking to the media after Friday’s court appearance, KTR said the Congress government had registered the case against him for promoting electric vehicles and bringing recognition to Hyderabad and Telangana through the international event.
He said he had full faith in the judiciary and would continue appearing whenever summoned by the court.
“Whenever the court summons, I will appear,” he said.
Several BRS leaders and party workers gathered at the Nampally Court Complex in support of KTR.
The ACB’s case followed allegations that foreign remittances connected with the Formula E event were made without prior approvals from the relevant regulatory authorities. The investigation also examined an additional tax burden of around Rs 8.06 crore allegedly incurred by the HMDA.
The Formula E race was held in Hyderabad in February 2023 during the BRS government, when KTR was the Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development. The subsequent edition planned for 2024 was cancelled after the Congress government came to power in Telangana.
The ACB’s allegations and KTR’s defence remain part of the ongoing legal proceedings, with the court yet to determine the merits of the charges.
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