The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has requested BRS working president and former Telangana minister K.T. Rama Rao to hand over his mobile phone and laptop. The request is part of an ongoing investigation into the Formula E race held in Hyderabad. However, KTR’s legal team argues that, under current law, the ACB cannot demand personal devices without a court order.
KTR’s lawyers cite the Supreme Court’s 2017 ruling that declared the right to privacy a fundamental right under Article 21. They claim that without judicial permission, personal devices cannot be accessed—even during a corruption investigation. According to them, KTR’s role was limited to policy-making and did not involve personal financial dealings.
However, legal experts point out that the right to privacy is not absolute. In cases of corruption, investigating agencies can access digital evidence if allowed by a competent court. “If public funds are involved, transparency becomes more important than personal privilege,” said one senior legal analyst.
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Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President B. Mahesh Kumar Goud has strongly criticized KTR’s reluctance. He called it “a challenge to democratic accountability” and urged the BRS leader to cooperate fully. “If there’s nothing to hide, why resist an open investigation?” he asked.
As ACB prepares to seek a court order, the case could become a legal benchmark. It raises important questions about the digital footprints of public officials and how privacy laws interact with the public’s right to transparency.
This ongoing probe not only tests KTR’s accountability but also sets the tone for how India handles digital evidence in future political corruption