Monday morning saw a standoff between Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) working president and former minister K T Rama Rao and the Telangana Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) outside the agency’s office at Banjara Hills.
KTR claimed the ACB had refused to allow his lawyer to be present with him while his statement was being recorded. Nearly 45 minutes after reaching the ACB office, KTR and his legal team remained in their vehicle outside. Eventually, he left without recording his statement, after ACB officials accepted a reply to the notice issued to him to appear before it, which was submitted by his lawyer.
In the written statement, he said he would cooperate in the case subject to constitutional and legal rights as provided by the law. The former minister sought to know which details and documents the agency wanted from him. He said he has challenged the ACB FIR against him in the High Court, which reserved its orders on December 31.
outside Telangana ACB office as KTR refuses
“Since the matter is finally heard and reserved for order, you may consider deferring the same till judgement is pronounced in the case and to proceed further in accordance with law subject to the order of the High Court,” KTR stated. An ACB official said they will consider his reply and may issue a fresh notice to appear personally to record his statement.
The ACB had summoned KTR to record his statement in connection with the Formula E race case involving the alleged transfer of Rs 45 crore to a foreign company, Formula-E Organisers (FOE), in February 2023.