Telangana High Court Delays Decision on Shravan Kumar's Bail Application in Phone Surveillance Case
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Hyderabad, Nov 28 (NationPress) The Telangana High Court has postponed its decision regarding the anticipatory bail application of Aruvela Shravan Kumar Rao, who is implicated in a prominent phone surveillance case.
Shravan Kumar Rao, the managing director of a media organization, is identified as accused number six in this case and is reportedly evading arrest.
A non-bailable warrant has been issued by the XIVth Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate in Hyderabad against Shravan, alongside the primary accused, T. Prabhakar Rao, the former chief of the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB).
Both individuals are currently in the United States and claim they are receiving treatment for various health issues.
The single-judge bench has reserved its judgment on Shravan's bail request after hearing arguments from both parties.
The public prosecutor objected to the bail application, citing Shravan's lack of cooperation with law enforcement during the investigation.
Shravan is facing a range of charges, including violations under Sections 409, 427, 201, and 120-B in conjunction with 341 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Section 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act, as well as Sections 65, 66, and 70 of the Information Technology Act.
He is accused of conducting unauthorized phone surveillance on political figures and transmitting sensitive information to SIB officials.
Earlier this month, the Hyderabad Police contacted the Ministry of Home Affairs to request the cancellation of the passports belonging to Prabhakar Rao and Shravan Kumar.
While the passport authorities have suspended the passports of both accused, they can only be deported from the U.S. if their passports are annulled.
The police have also informed the Telangana High Court that they anticipate obtaining a red corner notice from Interpol against both Prabhakar and Shravan.
The phone surveillance allegations surfaced during the previous BRS government in March, following the arrest of Deputy Superintendent of Police Praneeth Rao, which was prompted by a complaint from his superior, D. Ramesh, Additional SP with the SIB.
Prabhakar Rao, the then chief of SIB, allegedly formed a team within the agency comprising his trusted aides, including Praneeth Rao, to monitor rival political leaders, their families, and dissenters within the ruling party.
To date, the police have identified six individuals as accused. Praneeth Rao, along with Additional SPs Thirupathanna and Bhujanga Rao, and former DCP P. Radha Kishan Rao, are currently in judicial custody.
