Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Secretary C. Rama Krishna Rao on Wednesday approached the Department of Personnel and Training for approval to question IAS officer Aravind Kumar in the Formula E race case. The request pushed the ongoing probe into a new phase and allowed the Anti-Corruption Bureau to move toward filing a chargesheet once the Centre grants consent.
The ACB earlier opened a case after investigators traced ₹55 crore released to a foreign firm. Officers said the payment violated rules and occurred during the model code of conduct. They also noted that officials cleared the transfer despite pending approvals.
Formula E race case centres on fund diversion claims
Former minister K. T. Rama Rao appears as A1, while Aravind Kumar stands as A2 and former HMDA chief engineer B. L. N. Reddy as A3. ACB teams said Aravind Kumar drove the decision when he served as HMDA Commissioner. They explained that he approved the file without consent from the Cabinet or the Finance Department.
DoPT permission remains mandatory for any prosecution of IAS officers. Because of that rule, the Chief Secretary’s letter gained added weight and pushed the inquiry forward as the ACB continues its investigation.