Tension at ACB Office as police deny entry to KTR’s lawyer

The police halted Rama Rao's vehicle outside the ACB office, citing that his lawyer was not allowed to accompany him when he arrived in response to the ACB summons regarding the Formula-E race case.

Hyderabad: Tension prevailed at the office of the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s office at Banjara Hills here on Monday after police denied permission to BRS working president KT Rama Rao’s lawyer to accompany him. The police stopped Rama Rao’s vehicle outside the ACB office stating that his lawyer was not permitted, when he reached there as per the ACB summons in connection with the Formula-E race case.

“I am here as a law abiding citizen and respecting the High Court order and ACB directions to appear before it. But the police are not allowing my advocates and not allowing me to use my own rights,” Rama Rao said.

---

When the police insisted that his lawyer was not permitted, the BRS working president asked them to give it in writing that his lawyer was not permitted. He even said he would wait on the road or else submit his written explanation to the police and leave the office.

“All I am seeking of the ACB is that they respect the High Court judgement. In fact the High Court has reserved its judgement. I am a law abiding citizen. I worked as a lawmaker and I am still a lawmaker. Therefore, all I am asking the ACB is to ensure my rights are protected as an individual and citizen. I am entitled to my lawyer’s presence but unfortunately they seem to have a different opinion. So we are trying to discuss with them. They made extensive arguments in the High Court and the matter is sub judice and the judgement is reserved. I am a law abiding citizen but if they do not want to ensure that my rights are protected, I have to walk away,” Rama Rao told the media outside the ACB office.

The BRS working president also said that in the guise of enquiry, he was summoned to the ACB office. All attempts were being made by the government to attack his house, he said.

“Conspiracies are being hatched to place anti-law and illegal objects in my house during the attacks, which are being planned as per Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s directions,” Rama Rao said, adding that irrespective of the attacks and attention diversion cases planned, the BRS would continue to fight against the Congress government’s faulty policies and corrupt practices.

All this was being done only to divert the people’s attention from the Congress government’s betrayal to farmers. After promising Rs.15,000 under Rythu Bharosa, the Congress government had cut down the assistance to Rs.12,000, he pointed out.