ACB Summons KTR for Formula E Race Inquiry
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has issued a notice to K. T. Rama Rao (KTR), the Working President of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and former Minister, requiring him to attend questioning on Monday, the 16th of this month at 10 am, in relation to the Formula E Race case.
Previously, the ACB had summoned KTR on May 26, asking him to appear for questioning on May 28. However, he was unable to attend due to a tour in America. KTR informed the ACB of his foreign commitments and indicated his willingness to cooperate once he returned. The ACB subsequently agreed to reschedule and has now issued another notice for his appearance.
It is important to note that KTR has previously attended questioning sessions with both the ACB and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) concerning the same case. On January 6, he arrived at the ACB for an inquiry with his legal team but departed when officials did not permit him to enter. He returned to the ACB for questioning on January 8, where he was interrogated for approximately seven hours. Although he was called again on January 9, KTR requested additional time to respond to the inquiry.
In addition, the ACB has questioned Arvind Kumar, Secretary of the Municipal Department, and BLN Reddy, the former Chief Engineer of HMDA, as part of its investigation. The inquiry stems from allegations of the misuse of ₹55 crores related to the Formula E race, which was held in Hyderabad during the BRS administration.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
20 minutes ago
- Time of India
No Kings protest underway against Trump military parade - all updates as millions gather in parks and plazas across U.S
'No Kings' protesters have gathered in small towns and cities around the United States on Saturday to show opposition to US president Donald Trump, while he has scheduled a large military parade honouring the 250th anniversary of the Army that coincides with his birthday, as per a report. No Kings Protesters Rally Across the US According to AP, in Atlanta, the 5,000-capacity 'No Kings' rally had reached its limit very fast, and over thousands more demonstrators were outside the barrier in front of the state capitol, with a handful of counterprotesters left before the rally finished. Thousands Gather in Atlanta and Philadelphia In Philadelphia, many hundreds of protesters gathered in the famous Love Park downtown, where organisers gave out small American flags for people to carry along with protest signs saying things like 'fight oligarchy' and 'deport the mini-Mussolinis' as they waited for the march to start, as per the report. Even a woman wearing a foam Statue of Liberty crown was seen, who got a speaker system and led an anti-Trump sing-along, changing the words 'young man' in the song 'Y.M.C.A.' to 'con man,' reported AP. Nationwide Demonstrations with a Shared Message In Charlotte, North Carolina, 'No Kings' protesters were seen cheering for anti-Trump speakers and chanted 'we have no kings' while people started to gather in front of Los Angeles City Hall, many carrying American flags as a drum circle began, reported AP. Live Events Meanwhile, in Florida, over thousands of people gathered on the grounds of the old Capitol, where protesters were seen chanting, 'This is what community looks like,' and carried signs with messages like 'one nation under distress' and 'dissent is patriotic,' as per the report. 'No Kings' organisers have planned protests in almost 2,000 locations across the United States, from city blocks and small towns to courthouse steps and community parks, however, no events have been scheduled in Washington, D.C., where Trump's military parade will take place in the evening, reported AP. The 50501 Movement , the group which has organised the protests, said that it picked the name 'No Kings' to support democracy and speak out against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration, reported AP. FAQs Why are people protesting on Trump's birthday? Many see Trump's birthday military parade as symbolic of authoritarianism. Protesters are using the day to defend democracy and oppose what they say is a pattern of anti-democratic behavior. Who organized the protests? The 50501 Movement organized the national effort. Their name represents 50 states, 50 protests, one unified message.
Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
US denies inviting Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir to 250th Army anniversary parade
The White House has firmly denied that any foreign military leaders, including Pakistan's Army Chief General Asim Munir, were invited to the 250th anniversary celebrations of the US Armed Forces. "This is false. No foreign military leaders were invited," a White House official told South Asian media outlets, aiming to put an end to days of swirling speculation. The parade, set for June 14 in Washington, D.C., also coincides with former US President Donald Trump's 79th birthday. It will include tanks, musical performances, air shows, and a fireworks display, running from 11 AM to 6 PM and wrapping up with a night-time concert. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esse novo alarme com câmera é quase gratuito em São Paulo (consulte o preço) Alarmes Undo Backlash in India over reports Before the denial, Indian political circles had reacted sharply to the rumours. Opposition figures saw the alleged invitation as a diplomatic snub to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. RAND Corporation's senior defence analyst Derek Grossman called it a 'diplomatic setback' for India. He posted on X: 'For India, the Trump admin's invitation to Pakistani Field Marshal Asim Munir is tantamount to inviting an avowed anti-India terrorist.' Live Events Munir, a controversial figure in Indian discourse, had previously described Kashmir as Pakistan's 'jugular vein' and invoked the two-nation theory, stating, "Our religions are different, our customs are different, our traditions are different, our thoughts are different, our ambitions are different... We are two nations, we are not one nation." PTI plans protest in Washington Even before the White House statement, Pakistan's political opposition began mobilising in the US. The Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party's US chapter announced a protest in front of the Pakistani Embassy in Washington, D.C. The rally, supported by over a dozen diaspora groups, is being held against what they called 'undeclared martial law' in Pakistan. The protest also demands free and fair elections, reflecting anger towards Munir's role in domestic repression. Kurilla praises Pakistan as 'phenomenal partner' At a Congressional hearing, US Central Command (CENTCOM) chief General Michael Kurilla praised Pakistan's role in counterterrorism efforts. He stated: 'Through a phenomenal partnership with Pakistan, they have gone after ISIS-Khorasan, killing dozens of them. Through a relationship we have with them, providing intelligence, they have captured at least five ISIS-Khorasan high-value individuals.' Kurilla gave specific credit to Munir for the arrest of Mohammad Sharifullah alias Jafar, a suspect in the 2021 Kabul airport bombing that killed 13 American soldiers and over 160 civilians. Kurilla said, 'The first person Munir called was me and said, 'I've caught him, I'm willing to extradite him back to the US. Please tell the secretary of defence and the president.'' Balanced ties with both India and Pakistan Despite warm words for Islamabad, Kurilla made clear that the US values its relationship with India as well. "We need to have a relationship with Pakistan and with India. I do not believe it is a binary switch that we can't have one with Pakistan if we have a relationship with India. We should look at the merits of the relationship for the positives that it has," Kurilla told lawmakers. This remark reflects Washington's careful approach in South Asia, where tensions between India and Pakistan often challenge American diplomacy. Diplomatic signals and strategic optics Foreign policy expert Michael Kugelman weighed in on the speculation around Munir's travel plans. He suggested that if the Pakistani Army Chief does visit, it may involve meetings at CENTCOM. 'Much is unclear about Gen. Munir's reported upcoming trip to the US. But if he comes, a CENTCOM visit is a possibility. He and Gen Kurilla have met 3 times in less than 2 years. Kurilla praised him yesterday in Hill testimony. US-Pak officer-to-officer ties are generally strong,' said Kugelman. Sources claimed Munir was set to meet senior Pentagon and State Department officials during his trip. However, with the White House ruling out his attendance at the parade, the visit—if it happens—will now likely unfold in a lower profile format. Amid the furore, US officials also reiterated their strategic partnership with India. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau recently met with a visiting Indian parliamentary delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. According to Bruce, the two sides discussed counterterrorism cooperation and reaffirmed shared democratic values. While the storm over Munir's supposed invitation seems to have calmed, it has revealed the tightrope the United States continues to walk in balancing its vital security interests in a volatile region.
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
How Protests, Middle East, Bad Weather Can Rain On Trump's Military Parade
Washington: Nationwide protests against President Donald Trump, tensions in the Middle East amid Israel's strikes on Iran and expected rainy weather in Washington on Saturday could dampen spirits at a military parade on the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary, set to feature tanks on the streets and aircraft flying overhead. Trump, whose 79th birthday is also on Saturday, will preside over the parade. Week-long protests in Los Angeles against Trump's immigration crackdown have spread to multiple cities including Chicago, New York, San Antonio, Texas, and Washington. The Republican president has ordered National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles, a heavily Democratic city - a deployment that California Governor Gavin Newsom has challenged in court. Anti-Trump groups are planning to hold nearly 2,000 demonstrations of varying sizes across the country to coincide with the parade. Many are taking place under the theme "No Kings," asserting that no individual is above the law. The protests, if they go as planned, would represent one of the biggest public displays of opposition to Trump since he returned to power in January. Parade goers in Washington will encounter a massive security presence, with some 18.5 miles (30 km) of 8-foot (2.4 m)-high black fencing, much of it reinforced with concrete traffic barriers, cordoning off streets and surrounding landmarks including the Washington Monument. The celebrations will cost the U.S. Army between $25 million and $45 million, U.S. officials have told Reuters. That includes the parade itself as well as the cost of moving equipment and housing and feeding the troops. Critics have called the parade an authoritarian display of power that is wasteful, especially given Trump has said he wants to slash costs throughout the federal government. "You're not doing it to celebrate the Army's birthday. You're doing it to stroke Donald Trump's ego," Democratic U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, an Army combat veteran who lost two legs in the Iraq war, said at a hearing this month. "If you want to celebrate the Army's birthday by spending $30 million I would recommend you think about something along the lines of maybe spending that money on childcare for military families, perhaps tuition reimbursement for military families." 'I Don't Feel Like A King' At least one organization, has a permit to hold a march in central Washington that will culminate in a rally opposite the White House. Trump has warned people against protesting at the parade itself, saying that "they're going to be met with very big force." The protests, and any response by law enforcement agencies, will form a contrasting backdrop to the day-long celebration of the U.S. Army's history, which will seek to honor different eras of military history with uniforms and military weaponry from those periods. "I don't feel like a king, I have to go through hell to get stuff approved," Trump told reporters on Thursday. "We're not a king, we're not a king at all." While the Army has said the parade will take place come rain or shine, weather forecasts for Saturday evening show the potential for heavy thunderstorms in the Washington area. Defenders of the plans say the Army's 250th anniversary is a unique event that deserves an outsized celebration. The display of U.S. military hardware will take place shortly after one of the nation's closest allies, Israel, launched a barrage of strikes across Iran, which has threatened a harsh response. Rare Spectacle Military parades in the United States are rare. Other countries usually stage them to celebrate victories in battle or showcase military might. In 1991, tanks and thousands of troops paraded through Washington to celebrate the ousting of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's forces from Kuwait in the Gulf War. Law enforcement agencies are preparing for hundreds of thousands of people to attend Saturday's parade. Thousands of agents, officers and specialists will be deployed from law enforcement agencies from across the country and drones operated by the Secret Service will keep watch overhead. The Federal Aviation Administration will close down arrivals and departures at Washington's Reagan National Airport during the peak of the celebration. While the Army has said it has no plans to recognize Trump's birthday, the president will play a major role in the celebrations. The U.S. Army has brought nearly 7,000 troops into Washington, along with 150 vehicles, including more than 25 M1 Abrams tanks, 28 Stryker armored vehicles, four Paladin self-propelled artillery vehicles, and artillery pieces including the M777 and M119. The flyover will include Apache and Black Hawk helicopters along with Chinooks. Older aircraft like the World War Two-era B-25 bomber and P-51 Mustang will also take part. The military has taken steps to protect the streets of the capital from any potential damage caused by heavy tanks, including laying down metal plates in some areas. The Army has said it will pay for any unexpected repairs if needed and has set aside several million dollars in case of damage, although it has said it expects little impact.
