Published Feb 15, 2026 | 1:15 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 15, 2026 | 1:15 PM
IAS Arvind Kumar had been with the MA&UD Department when the agreements were signed. (Supplied)
Synopsis: The Union government has granted sanction to prosecute senior IAS officer Arvind Kumar in the Formula E race irregularities case in Telangana. The case involves the alleged transfer of ₹54.88 crore of public funds to Formula-E Operations for the conduct of Hyderabad E-Prix
The Union government has granted sanction to prosecute senior IAS officer Arvind Kumar in the Formula E race irregularities case, a significant step that clears the way for the Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to file its chargesheet.
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) reportedly conveyed its approval to the state government after a request made over three months ago. As an All-India Services officer, Arvind Kumar’s prosecution requires mandatory central clearance.
The case involves the alleged transfer of ₹54.88 crore of public funds to Formula E Operations (FEO) for the conduct of Hyderabad E-Prix, originally scheduled for February 2024, which was later cancelled.
The ACB registered an FIR on 19 December 2024, against three main accused: BRS Working President and former minister KT Rama Rao (A-1), the then-Special Chief Secretary (Municipal Administration & Urban Development) Arvind Kumar (A-2), and former Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) chief engineer BLN Reddy (A-3).
The ACB alleged that payments were released without Cabinet approval, proper financial sanctions, or adherence to constitutional provisions. Funds were transferred to Formula E Operations Ltd (FEO) and associated entities, in foreign currency, allegedly on oral instructions from KTR to Arvind Kumar. The tripartite agreement signed in October 2023 was also termed invalid.
In November 2025, Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma had granted sanction for KTR’s prosecution. With central approval now in place for Arvind Kumar, the ACB is expected to file the chargesheet shortly against all accused, including private entities linked to the event.
The probe found that Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) released approximately ₹45 crore in foreign exchange and additional domestic payments without following Reserve Bank of India guidelines or obtaining required clearances. Arvind Kumar, during questioning, reportedly stated that the decisions and payments followed directions from the then minister KTR.
The event was promoted as a major international sports initiative under the previous BRS regime but was ultimately scrapped, resulting in financial loss to the state exchequer.
KTR, referring to the case against him, said on Saturday, 14 February, that it was “politically motivated” and that no wrongdoing had occurred. He has asserted that the Formula E hosting was a legitimate promotional activity, that payments were made transparently through official channels.
He said he is ready to face any scrutiny, including a lie-detector test. He said: “The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) is investigating a case where there is no corruption.”
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
