Hyderabad: Desperate attempts by Bharat Rashtra Samithi working president and MLA K.T. Rama Rao to scuttle the investigation into the multi-crore Formula E race scam seems to have subjected him to even judicial snubbing besides rebukes from rival political parties.
The Telangana High Court had already pointed out that there was a prima facie case of wrongdoing and misappropriation of funds while dismissing his quash petition. The Supreme Court on Wednesday pointed out that Rama Rao approached the court on the very next day of filing of a case by the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
When Rama Rao’s counsel sought to make a strong point that no corruption was involved in the case, the Supreme Court said; “(asking) whether a government officer is corrupt or not is like posing a question whether fish is drinking water or not.”
Maintaining that Rama Rao was subjected to repeated judicial snubbing, senior advocate L. Ravichander said it only indicated that prima facie the case booked by the ACB is within the parameters of law. “The unusual rush exhibited by the petitioner also suggests something is fishy,” he added.
The BRS, on the other hand took a stand, as reflected in the statement of party legal cell in-charge Soma Bharat Kumar, that “Rama Rao, by approaching courts, is exercising his legal rights in a case filed against him.”
The party has also sought to put up a brave face stating that the Supreme Court did not dismiss the petition and Rama Rao only withdrew the petition.
Bharat Kumar also tried his best to drive home the point that Rama Rao did not oppose investigation into the case and indeed appeared before ACB. The BRS working president, he pointed out, can again approach the court.
Significantly, reacting to the observation of Rama Rao’s counsel’s that he might file a petition to discharge his client in future, the apex court pointed out that “it will not prevent anyone from filing false and frivolous applications or proceedings.”
Ironically, party spokesperson Dr Krishnak Manne sprang a surprise by declaring that Rama Rao withdrawing the quash petition in the Supreme Court is “another step to face the trial”. But, his tweet came after Rama Rao’s counsel withdrew the petition as he was left with no option after the apex court refused to entertain his plea and would have anyway dismissed his petition.
Rama Rao was also accused of exhibiting dual standards. Contrary to his brave posture that he is ready to face any investigation and even prepared to sit in jail and do yoga, he is running around the courts to get the FIR quashed, alleged government whip Adi Srinivas.
Terming the refusal of courts to stall investigation a slap on Rama Rao’s face, another senior Congress leader Addanki Dayakar said; "The High Court and the Supreme Court have denied him relief and made it clear that he must face the investigation. Where will KTR hide his face now?"
Legal experts also see a desperate attempt by Rama Rao to make big political gains by securing a favourable order from the judiciary and accusing the Congress of indulging in vendetta politics.
“But, it only shows the failure of Rama Rao in reading the SC findings in numerous cases that investigation should not be thwarted by quashing FIR at the initial stage itself as courts can not ascertain whether or not an offence was committed by the petitioner,” said senior advocate Challa Damodar Reddy. With adverse orders, he is only damaging his image, he added.
