Hyderabad: BRS working president K T Rama Rao has declined to submit his old mobile phone and other personal electronic devices in connection with the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s probe into the Formula E race case, citing constitutional protections and procedural concerns.
In a written response to an ACB notice dated June 16, KTR said that compelling submission of such devices without clear justification amounts to a violation of fundamental rights, including the right to privacy. He stated that the Supreme Court has acknowledged similar arguments in related matters.
KTR noted that he had already appeared before the ACB on June 16 at 10 a.m. and cooperated fully until 5 p.m., answering all questions put to him. However, he said a subsequent notice under Section 94 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) was vague and did not explain the relevance of the electronic devices sought.
The notice asked for devices used between November 1, 2021, and December 1, 2023, including mobile phones, laptops, tablets, and iPads. KTR said that all official decisions and records related to the Formula E race are already with the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department, where he held ministerial responsibility.
He argued that there was no indication that personal devices were used for official decisions or that they contained any evidence relevant to the case. KTR maintained that demanding personal devices without establishing necessity sets a dangerous precedent and could lead to misuse.
He further pointed out that the Supreme Court has laid down protocols for handling electronic devices during investigations and mentioned a case in which the Enforcement Directorate was restrained from accessing or copying phone contents.
KTR concluded that he changed his mobile phone in early 2024 and no longer possesses the one used during the relevant time. He also clarified that he did not use any other electronic device in connection with the matter.
