With ED lens on KTR, Kavitha likely to take over reins of BRS

THE E.D. ON FRIDAY SERVED NOTICES ON KTR IN CONNECTION WITH THE ALLEGED FINANCIAL IRREGULARITIES IN THE CONDUCT OF FORMULA-E RACE

- Srinivasa Rao Apparasu

HYDERABAD: After months of political hibernation following her release from the Tihar jail in Delhi, where she was in judicial custody since March this year in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader and MLC K Kavitha has begun playing an active role in Telangana politics.

Her re-entry into the political arena comes at a critical juncture for the BRS, which is grappling with a series of setbacks, the latest one being the impending arrest of her brother and BRS working president, KT Rama Rao (KTR), in connection with the alleged financial irregularities in the conduct of Formula-E race.

People familiar with the matter on Saturday said that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday served notices on KTR asking him to appear before the investigating officer on January 7 for questioning him in connection with the foreign exchange violations in making payment of ₹54.80 crore to Formula-E promoters.

Apart from KTR, the ED summoned senior IAS officer Arvind Kumar and HMDA former chief engineer BLN Reddy were asked to appear on January 2 and 3 respectively. The ED authorities initiated the probe under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), based on a first information report (FIR) lodged by the state Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).