Telangana High Court Dismisses Phone Tapping Case Against Harish Rao
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Synopsis
In a major legal victory, the Telangana High Court has dismissed the phone tapping allegations against BRS leader T. Harish Rao. The case was filed based on accusations from a political rival, G. Chakradhar Goud, who alleged threats and illegal surveillance by Rao. The court's ruling marks a significant relief for the former minister.
Key Takeaways
- Telangana High Court quashed the phone tapping case against T. Harish Rao.
- The FIR was originally filed by G. Chakradhar Goud.
- Allegations included criminal conspiracy and intimidation.
- Harish Rao is the nephew of K. Chandrasekhar Rao.
- State government called for strict action against Rao.
Hyderabad, March 20 (NationPress) In a significant victory for Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader and former minister T. Harish Rao, the Telangana High Court on Thursday dismissed the phone tapping case filed against him.
Justice K. Lakhsman annulled the First Information Report (FIR) lodged against Harish Rao at the Punjagutta Police Station in Hyderabad back in December of the previous year.
In response to a complaint from G. Chakradhar Goud, a real estate entrepreneur and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader, the police had initiated a case citing relevant sections related to criminal conspiracy, extortion, criminal breach of trust, criminal intimidation, and section 66 of the Information Technology Act against Harish Rao, former police officer Radha Kishan Rao, and others.
The complainant, who unsuccessfully challenged Harish Rao in the Siddipet Assembly constituency during the 2023 elections, claimed harassment, threats, and illegal phone monitoring.
Goud alleged that Harish Rao harbored resentment against him due to his philanthropic efforts, such as aiding families of farmers who had taken their own lives. The complainant accused Harish Rao and his associates of issuing threats, fabricating cases, and conducting unauthorized surveillance on his phone.
Harish Rao, the nephew of BRS president and former chief minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, filed a petition in the High Court requesting the annulment of the FIR.
During the proceedings, the state government urged the court to take stringent measures against Harish Rao for allegedly exploiting state intelligence resources to intimidate political opponents through phone tapping.
Senior Supreme Court lawyer Sidhartha Luthra, representing the state, argued that a minister should serve as a protector, while Harish Rao acted more like a predator.
In contrast, Harish Rao's attorney Seshadri Naidu contended that the legal provisions regarding criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and extortion were not applicable.
Naidu also informed the court that multiple criminal cases were pending against Chakradhar.
The allegations of phone tapping under the previous BRS administration emerged in March of the preceding year, following the arrest of Deputy Superintendent of Police Praneeth Rao after a complaint from his superior, D. Ramesh, Additional SP with the Special Intelligence Branch (SIB).
The former SIB chief, Prabhakar Rao, reportedly formed a team within SIB comprising his trusted aides, including Praneeth Rao, to monitor rival political leaders, their families, dissidents in the ruling party, businessmen, journalists, and even judges.
As of now, the police have named six individuals as accused in the cases. Praneeth Rao, Additional SPs Thirupathanna and Bhujanga Rao, and former DCP P. Radha Kishan Rao are currently in judicial custody. The main suspects, Prabhakar Rao and Shravan Kumar Rao, managing director of a media outlet, are still located in the United States.
