What is the Latest on the Telangana Phone Tapping Case?
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Synopsis
The Telangana Police's Special Investigation Team has intensified its efforts in the phone tapping scandal, recording statements from victims and summoning key figures, including the prime accused, T. Prabhakar Rao, as revelations unfold about illegal surveillance during the BRS government.
Key Takeaways
- The SIT is actively recording statements from victims.
- T. Prabhakar Rao, the prime accused, has returned from the US.
- Allegations involve illegal surveillance of numerous high-profile individuals.
- Evidence has been recovered from destroyed hard drives by the SIT.
- The Supreme Court is involved in overseeing the case's proceedings.
Hyderabad, June 15 (NationPress) As the investigation into the phone tapping scandal from the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) administration intensifies, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Telangana Police commenced the collection of victim statements on Sunday.
The SIT has summoned various political figures, businesspeople, and journalists whose phones were reportedly intercepted.
These statements are being recorded based on the evidence gathered thus far in the ongoing investigation.
The SIT has also called upon T. Prabhakar Rao, the former Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) chief, for further questioning.
Rao, the central figure in this case who returned from the United States last week, is scheduled to appear before the SIT on June 17. He has already attended questioning sessions three times.
During his most recent appearance at the Jubilee Hills police station in Hyderabad, he faced approximately nine hours of interrogation.
Rao has been accused of orchestrating the illegal surveillance of multiple high-profile individuals and has reportedly admitted that a special task force within the SIB was formed to monitor the phones of politicians opposing the BRS.
The team targeted leaders from both the Congress and the BJP, including Congress leader Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, who currently serves as the revenue minister.
Additionally, the SIB surveilled around 30 individuals associated with Reddy’s construction and real estate ventures.
Rao also disclosed to investigators that certain politicians were monitored due to suspicions regarding their connections to Maoists.
He was interrogated based on testimony from former deputy superintendent of police D. Praneeth Rao, retired deputy commissioner of police P. Radha Kishan Rao, and additional superintendents of police N. Bhujanga Rao and M. Thirupathanna, all of whom had been previously arrested in connection with the case.
These officials indicated that they acted under the orders of Rao, who led the SIB at that time.
Following the BRS's defeat in the 2023 elections, Rao resigned from his position. Shortly thereafter, multiple hard drives from the SIB office mysteriously vanished, with Praneeth Rao admitting to destroying them and discarding them in the Musi River.
He claimed he acted on Prabhakar Rao's instructions. The SIT managed to recover some data from the destroyed hard drives.
The SIT may also question Prabhakar Rao and Praneeth Rao together to expedite the investigation.
Allegations suggest that the phones of political leaders, business magnates, celebrities, journalists, civil society members, and even judges were tapped under Rao’s guidance.
The scandal first came to light in March of last year after Praneeth Rao's arrest, which followed a complaint from his superior, D. Ramesh, an Additional SP with the SIB.
Prabhakar Rao departed for the US just before the allegations were filed against him.
The Supreme Court directed authorities on May 29 to facilitate an emergency travel document for Rao's return.
This order was issued in response to Rao’s petition challenging the Telangana High Court ruling that dismissed his request for anticipatory bail.
The court also prohibited the police from taking any coercive action against Rao until further notice.
According to an agreement made with the Supreme Court, Prabhakar Rao returned to India on June 8 and reported to the SIT the following day.
Point of View
The unfolding events surrounding the Telangana phone tapping case highlight the critical need for accountability and transparency in governance. The allegations of illegal surveillance are deeply troubling, raising questions about civil liberties and the ethical responsibilities of those in power. As the investigation progresses, it is imperative that justice is served, ensuring such abuses do not occur in the future.
NationPress
27/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the investigation into the phone tapping case?
The investigation was triggered by a complaint from D. Ramesh, an Additional SP with the SIB, leading to the arrest of former deputy superintendent of police D. Praneeth Rao.
Who is T. Prabhakar Rao?
T. Prabhakar Rao is the former chief of the Special Intelligence Bureau and the prime accused in the phone tapping case.
What types of individuals were allegedly targeted in the phone tapping?
Allegations suggest that the phones of political leaders, businesspeople, journalists, celebrities, and even judges were monitored.
What actions were taken regarding the hard drives from the SIB?
It was reported that several hard drives from the SIB office went missing, and Praneeth Rao confessed to destroying them at Prabhakar Rao's behest.
What has the Supreme Court decided regarding Prabhakar Rao's return?
The Supreme Court ordered authorities to arrange an emergency travel document for Prabhakar Rao to return to India and prohibited police from taking coercive action against him.
