In a significant development in the Hyderabad Formula E race controversy, Dana Kishore, the Principal Secretary of the Municipal Department, was interrogated for nearly seven hours by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). His statement, now officially recorded, revealed that funds for the event were transferred based on verbal instructions from the then Municipal Minister, KTR. This disclosure is likely to lead to the ACB issuing notices to KTR and senior IAS officer Arvind Kumar, who may be called in for questioning soon.
The Formula E race, held under the BRS government, is now facing intense scrutiny. Allegations have emerged claiming that KTR authorized the transfer of ₹45 crore to a foreign entity without the necessary Cabinet or Finance Department approvals.This apart, it is alleged that the payment skipped regular financial procedures, including those at RBI, and was cleared over the phone. It is also alleged that HMDA did not take the permission of the Group of Ministers in making payments above ₹10 crores. Based on this, ACB has lodged cases against KTR, Arvind Kumar and HMDA Chief Engineer BLN Reddy.
KTR has got a temporary relief from the High Court by staying his arrest for 10 days. The court has ordered the state government to file a counter-affidavit on or before December 30 and has also asked KTR to cooperate with the probe. In another development, the High Court dismissed the petition filed by KTR to quash the FIR against him. Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate has also joined the investigation and filed the case under money laundering based upon the FIR filed by the Anti-Corruption Branch.