Is KCR Delaying His Appearance Before the SIT in the Phone-Tapping Case?
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Hyderabad, Jan 29 (NationPress) The former Chief Minister of Telangana, K. Chandrasekhar Rao, has informed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) responsible for the phone-tapping investigation that he will not be available for questioning on Friday, requesting them to reschedule to a different date.
Following the issuance of a notice by the SIT to KCR, he communicated with the investigating officer, P. Venkatagiri, stating his prior commitments related to the upcoming municipal elections.
The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader mentioned that the nomination process for municipal elections and municipal corporations is currently ongoing, with January 30 marking the final date for submitting nominations for 116 municipalities and 7 municipal corporations. He indicated, “Given these circumstances, I am occupied with granting authorization to several individuals, as the elections are being conducted on a party basis.”
KCR suggested to the investigating officer that any other date convenient for him could be selected for the examination, which is to be conducted under Section 160 of the Cr.P.C. However, he requested that this examination be held at his residence located in Erravalli village, Siddipet district.
In the notice, the investigating officer had mentioned that KCR could propose any other location within Hyderabad for the examination.
Referring to the stipulations of Section 160 of the Cr.P.C., KCR emphasized that the law exempts any male individual over 65 years from appearing at the police station, necessitating that the investigation team conduct the examination at the individual’s residence.
“Consequently, as per Section 160 Cr.P.C., I can be examined at the aforementioned address upon prior notice. It’s important to note that this section does not define any territorial restrictions for such examinations. Future notices should be directed to the specified address,” KCR’s reply stated.
He assured the investigating officer that, as a former Chief Minister and the current Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, he would fully cooperate with the investigation as a responsible citizen.