Followed KTR’s orders: Arvind Kumar to ACB

Hyderabad:In a seven-hour-long questioning, senior IAS officer Arvind Kumar on Wednesday reportedly told ACB officials that he made agreements with Formula E Racing Operations Limited to conduct E racing in Hyderabad following the oral directions of then minister K.T. Rama Rao.

A team of officials comprising a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) shot a number of questions at the senior IAS officer and recorded his statement in connection with the Formula E racing irregularities.

ACB officials asked about the agreements made between the state government and Formula E Racing Operations Limited and paying `54 crore to the UK-based company without clearance of the finance department.

The agency officials also questioned him about the Cabinet member’s approval for making agreements with Formula E racing Operations Limited. ACB officials reportedly asked him if revenue generated by racing activities and where were the funds deposited.

According to sources, Arvind Kumar tried to avoid answering some questions stating that he is an IAS officer and executed the orders which were issued by his authority.

The ACB official also asked the IAS officer for any other involvement from the then BRS government in making agreements in connection with the racing activities. He also reportedly said that he had never suggested the then government organise the racing events in Hyderabad.