Why has KTR been summoned in the Phone-tapping case?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Hyderabad, Jan 22 (NationPress) The Special Investigation Team (SIT) that is investigating the phone tapping allegations has called upon K. T. Rama Rao, the working president of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), for an interrogation scheduled for Friday.
On Thursday, the SIT issued a directive requiring KTR to present himself before Assistant Commissioner of Police P. Venkatagiri at the ACP's Office at 11 a.m.
This notice, issued under Section 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code, indicates that the Investigating Officer believes KTR possesses relevant information regarding the case, making his personal testimony essential.
The SIT has warned that failure to comply with the notice, without a lawful reason, could lead to legal consequences.
This summons comes just two days after the SIT questioned BRS leader and former minister T. Harish Rao, who underwent seven hours of interrogation.
This marks the initial instance where a prominent leader from BRS has been summoned by the SIT regarding the allegations of phone tapping involving political rivals, businessmen, journalists, and even judges during the prior BRS administration.
Following his questioning, Harish Rao stated to reporters that the summons was an act of revenge for exposing corruption linked to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy's brother-in-law S. Srujan Reddy.
The former Minister claimed he posed more inquiries to the SIT than the officials directed toward him.
The phone tapping controversy first emerged in March 2024, leading to an FIR being filed under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act, and the Information Technology Act at the Panjagutta Police Station in Hyderabad.
Reports suggest that a specialized team was formed within the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) during the BRS governance to monitor the communications of numerous individuals.
The main accused in this case is former SIB chief T. Prabhakar Rao, along with other implicated individuals including Deputy Superintendent of Police D. Praneeth Rao, Additional SPs Thirupathanna and N. Bhujanga Rao, former DCP Radha Kishan Rao, and a television channel owner, Sravan Kumar.