The Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials questioned Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president and former Telangana minister K.T. Rama Rao for about seven hours on Thursday in connection with the Formula-E race case.
The Central agency quizzed KTR regarding the transfer of Rs 45.7 crore from Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) to UK-based Formula-E Operations (FEO) in 2023 when he was the minister for Municipal Administration & Urban Development.
The ED officials reportedly questioned him on the basis of statements given by former Municipal Administration & Urban Development department special chief secretary Arvind Kumar and former chief engineer of HMDA B.L.N. Reddy, who were earlier questioned by the Central agency.
The ED is conducting the probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) based on the First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
The Central agency is looking into possible violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).
Talking to mediapersons after the questioning, KTR said while ACB asked him 80 questions last week, the ED asked 40 questions.
The BRS also dared Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy for a lie detector test in front of judge and live media about each other’s ACB and ED cases instead of wasting public money.
He asked the Chief Minister to decide the date, place, and time for the same.
"Just because Revanth Reddy had ACB and ED case, he filed it against me. As a law-abiding citizen and despite the political vendetta and malafide intention, I will cooperate with investigative agencies,” he said.
The former minister said he came to know through a media report that the investigation in Formula-E race case would cost Rs 5 crore to Rs 10 crore and hence was making an offer to the Chief Minister for a lie detector test to save the public money.
"I will cooperate fully. I am going to be there no matter how many times they summon me. I asked the same question to ACB and ED, where is the case here? If from here, some money has gone somewhere and there is an account of that, then where are the fraud and corruption?. Where did the laundering happen?” he asked.
Reiterating that he has done nothing wrong and that he has full faith in the judiciary, KTR said ultimately truth will prevail.
“I have done nothing wrong and I will never do. If they prove that I did something wrong, I am ready for any punishment," he said
Family held at gunpoint, robbers looted house in Churaibari
According to reports, Sadhan Deb, a resident of the area, went to sleep as usual with his two children last night. However, around 2:30 AM, a gang of 7-8 armed robbers stormed into his house by breaking down the door with a sledgehammer.
Govt committed to transparency and public welfare: Dr Saha
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today said that the present state government is moving forward with a commitment to serve the people and work for their welfare, ensuring transparency in all areas.
Sri Lankan Navy arrests 32 Tamil fishermen, five boats seized
The Sri Lankan Navy has arrested 32 fishermen from Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and fishing in Lankan waters.
Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi hails ISRO's century in rocket launches, urges people to dedicate a day for science
Addressing the 119th episode of his monthly radio programme, 'Mann Ki Baat', on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the Indian Space Research Organisation, saying it has hit the century in space. Last month, the country witnessed the ISRO's 100th rocket launch.
Mizoram student stabbed to death in Kerala, batchmate arrested
A 22-year-old BTech student from Mizoram was stabbed to death near his college in Thiruvananthapuram. The deceased, Valentine, was a student at Rajadhani Institute of Engineering & Technology, Nagaroor.
Italy PM slams Left's double standards, says when Trump, Meloni, Modi talk, they are called threat to democracy
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has accused left-wing politicians of being "nervous" over former US President Donald Trump's victory, claiming that conservatives are unfairly labelled as a "threat to democracy" while leftist leaders are celebrated for similar global alliances.
NDRF intensifies rescue operation to save 8 trapped in Telangana tunnel
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams on Sunday intensified rescue efforts to save eight persons trapped in an under-construction tunnel after a portion of its roof collapsed in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district on February 22.
Israel delays Palestinian prisoner release after 'humiliating' hostage handovers
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that the release of Palestinian prisoners would be delayed until Hamas ceases its "humiliating ceremonies" during the release of Israeli hostages under the ceasefire deal.