Setback for KTR as High Court Rejects His Plea

Hyderabad:  The Telangana High Court, led by Justice K. Lakshman, dismissed a petition filed by K.T. Rama Rao (KTR), MLA from Sircilla and Working President of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), in connection with an anti-corruption case. KTR is the primary accused (Accused No. 1) in Crime No. 12/ROC-CIU ACB-2024, registered by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) under charges of criminal breach of trust and corruption.

The case pertains to alleged violations under Section 13(1)(a) read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 409 read with Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Justice Lakshman, after reserving the order on December 31, 2024, delivered the judgment with a single-word verdict: “Dismissed.”

Senior counsel Siddharth Dave, representing KTR, argued that the charges lacked evidence of misappropriation or misuse of office. Dave contended that payments made for organizing the Formula E race were in accordance with a valid agreement between the State Government and a private company. He highlighted that the complainant, an IAS officer, was part of the government and not an independent party, making the allegations untenable.

Dave also challenged the application of Section 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, arguing that the FIR failed to specify any corrupt acts or misuse of authority.

Senior counsel CV Mohan Reddy, representing M. Dana Kishore, Principal Secretary of Municipal Administration and Urban Development, alleged procedural lapses and financial misconduct. He stated that KTR had authorized payments of ₹55 crore to a private company in October 2023, even before formal agreements were signed with the Formula E race organizers.

Reddy claimed that these payments, made without state government approval, violated established business rules and constituted criminal breach of trust. Advocate General A. Sudarshan Reddy added that foreign currency payments were made even after the event organizers withdrew from hosting the race. He further revealed that the Governor had approved the investigation, hinting at the possibility of additional accused being identified.

Justice Lakshman upheld the arguments against quashing the FIR, concluding that there was a prima facie case to proceed with the investigation. The petition’s dismissal allows the ACB to continue its probe into the alleged misappropriation of funds and procedural violations.

This development marks a significant step in the high-profile case, which has drawn widespread attention due to its political and administrative implications.