Hyderabad, Feb 1 (NationPress) - The Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is investigating the phone-tapping scandal, interrogated Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader and former chief minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao for almost five hours at his home on Sunday. The SIT team departed from KCR’s residence in Nandi Nagar around 8 p.m., following their inquiry which was informed by testimonies from the accused, particularly the primary suspect, T. Prabhakar Rao, the former chief of the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB).

The investigation team, consisting of six officials, recorded the session both audibly and visually.

This case, initiated in 2024, pertains to allegations of phone interceptions involving various individuals, including political rivals, business magnates, journalists, and judicial members during the BRS governance.

KCR was reportedly questioned concerning the appointment of Prabhakar Rao as SIB chief, even post-retirement.

With heightened security measures, the SIT officials arrived at KCR’s home at 3 p.m. in Banjara Hills. KCR underwent questioning in a designated room on the second floor of his residence, accompanied by his son and BRS working president, K. T. Rama Rao, along with other family members.

The police enforced strict security around KCR’s home to prevent any gatherings of BRS supporters. Barricades were set up on the routes leading to Nandi Nagar.

In light of BRS leaders and supporters planning to assemble in support of KCR, fearing that the questioning was politically motivated by the Congress government, police stepped up their security protocols.

Earlier, KCR returned to Hyderabad from Erravalli village in Siddipet district after the SIT had issued him a second notice, requiring his presence for questioning in Hyderabad. Upon his arrival, KCR was greeted warmly by party officials.

The SIT had initially summoned KCR on January 30. Although he was requested to report at any location within Hyderabad, KCR requested a different date due to his engagement with the municipal elections.

He also asked for the examination to occur at his residence in Erravalli but was denied this request by the SIT, which issued a second notice on January 30 demanding his presence in Hyderabad on Sunday.

KCR ultimately confirmed his availability for questioning at his Nandi Nagar home at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

KCR stands as the highest-ranking BRS official to be questioned in this case. Previously, the SIT had interrogated K. T. Rama Rao, T. Harish Rao, and Santosh Rao.

Earlier inquiries also included BRS MLC K. Naveen Rao and former MLAs Jaipal Yadav and C. Lingaiah.

The SIT has also examined Bandi Sanjay Kumar, M. Raghunandan Rao, and Eatala Rajender, along with other notable figures as witnesses and victims.

The phone tapping scandal came to light in March 2024, leading to the registration of an FIR 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 allegedly formed within the SIB during the BRS rule to conduct phone tapping on several individuals.

The primary accused in the case is former SIB chief Prabhakar Rao, along with 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.