HC bars ACB from arresting Rama Rao

Formula-E irregularities: Telangana High Court reserves order on petition to quash FIR

- TG NAIDU

BARRING the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) from arresting former minister KT Rama Rao in the Formula-E irregularities case until further orders, Justice K Lakshman of the Telangana High Court on Tuesday reserved orders on the criminal petition filed by the BRS working president.

Rama Rao faces allegations of criminal breach of trust and violation of provisions of Acts related to the transfer of funds. More specifically, the ACB, Hyderabad, registered a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA), 1988, and Section 409 read with Section 120B of the IPC against Rama Rao. The judge also extended interim protection to KTR from coercive action until the pronouncement of the orders.

Arguing for Rama Rao, senior counsel Siddharth Dave contended that the allegations lack the necessary ingredients for charges under Section 405 IPC, which defines criminal breach of trust. He argued that there was no evidence of misappropriation or conversion of entrusted property as required under the provision.