The Telangana High Court on Wednesday dismissed the plea of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president and former minister K T Rama Rao (KTR) to allow his lawyer to be present with him during interrogation by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in the Formula E race case.
A bench headed by Justice K Lakshman ruled that while KTR’s lawyer could not be present in the interrogation room, they would be permitted to sit in the library adjacent to the examination room, which has a glass window. The court directed the ACB investigating officer to ensure visibility of the interrogation process.
The judge instructed KTR to appear before the investigating officer on Thursday.
"If you have any concerns, you may return to the High Court on January 10, and I will provide protection. I will keep the writ petition pending," the judge said.
KTR’s counsel informed the court that former Additional Advocate General J Ramachander Rao would be present in the adjacent chamber during the questioning.
While the court refused to permit audio or video recording of the interrogation, it allowed surveillance through CCTV cameras.
Earlier in the day, KTR had filed a lunch motion petition before the High Court, seeking a direction to the ACB to allow a lawyer's presence during their investigation in the Formula E race case.
During the hearing, the judge observed that lawyers are generally not allowed during investigations. However, KTR's lawyer cited Supreme Court judgments permitting lawyers' presence in some cases. In response, Additional Advocate General Rajanikant Reddy referenced rulings where such permissions were denied.
The court clarified that there was no provision for allowing a lawyer to interact directly with the accused during the investigation. However, considering KTR's status as a former minister and current MLA, the court inquired whether arrangements were in place for his lawyer to observe the investigation from a visible distance.
The judge also questioned the necessity of third-degree methods in the case.
"If there is no requirement for third-degree methods, why is a lawyer's presence needed in the investigation room?" the judge remarked.
