In a major update on the Formula-E race case, the Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed KT Rama Rao (KTR), the working president of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), to withdraw a Special Leave Petition. The petition challenged the Telangana High Court’s refusal to quash an FIR filed against him in connection with the Formula-E race controversy.
The Supreme Court bench, consisting of Justices Bela M. Trivedi and Prasanna B. Varale, did not interfere with the case. KTR’s lawyer, senior advocate Siddartha Dave, requested the court to dismiss the petition as withdrawn, and the court accepted the request.
KTR had filed the Special Leave Petition on January 7 after the Telangana High Court dismissed his earlier plea to quash the FIR. The FIR was linked to an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) investigation into the Formula-E race case. During the hearing, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi represented the state government.
Addressing the withdrawal of the petition, BRS general secretary Soma Bharat Kumar clarified that KTR had never opposed the ACB investigation. He also noted that KTR had cooperated fully by appearing before the ACB on January 7 and 9. Kumar explained that KTR approached the courts to exercise his legal rights as an Indian citizen.
The BRS party dismissed rumors in the media claiming that the Supreme Court had entirely rejected KTR’s petition or approved his arrest. Party members emphasized that the court’s decision leaves open the possibility for KTR to take further legal action if required.
This development brings clarity to KTR’s position in the Formula-E race controversy. However, he retains the right to challenge any future actions related to the case, as per the Supreme Court ruling.
