Phone tapping case: SIT summons KCR for questioning on Friday

Hyderabad: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the phone tapping case has issued a summons to BRS supremo and former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao. The SIT has asked the former CM to appear for questioning on January 30.

The summons was issued at KCR’s residence in Nandi Nagar. The notice comes after a statement from another accused, DCP Radhakrishna, stating he was following the ‘orders of the boss’.

Earlier, BRS working president KT Rama Rao, Former Minister and MLA T Harish Rao and BRS Rajya Sabha MP Santhosh Rao appeared before the SIT in connection with the case.

When was the SIT formed?

The Telangana State government constituted a 10-member SIT, led by Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar, IPS, to fast-track the probe into the illegal phone tapping case. The move comes 21 months after a case was registered to investigate the illegal phone tapping case.

Jubilee Hills Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) P Venkatagiri, who has been associated with the investigation from the beginning, has been appointed as the investigating officer of the SIT.

Members of the SIT

Hyderabad CP VC Sajjanar heads the SIT. Other members include Amber Kishore Jha (Ramagundam Police Commissioner), SM Vijay Kumar (Siddipet Police Commissioner), Ritiraj (Deputy Commissioner of Police, Madhapur) and K Narayana Reddy (Deputy Commissioner of Police, Maheshwaram).

M Ravinder Reddy (Greyhounds Group Commander), KS Rao (Additional DCP, Rajendranagar), P Venkatagiri (ACP, Jubilee Hills, Investigating Officer), CH Sridhar (DSP, TGANB) and Nagender Rao (DSP, Hyderabad Metro Rail) will also be part of the team.

What are the phone tapping case details?

The case pertains to allegations of illegal phone tapping carried out through the Special Intelligence Branch (SIB) to benefit the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). A complaint in this regard was registered on March 10 last year at Panjagutta Police Station.

The investigation was initially supervised by the then Hyderabad CP Kothakota Srinivas Reddy. At different stages, the probe was handled by West Zone DCP SM Vijay Kumar and ACP Venkatagiri.

During the early phase of the investigation, retired Task Force DCP Radhakishan Rao, Additional DCPs Bhujanga Rao and Tirupathanna and ACP Praneeth were arrested and remanded to judicial custody.

Key accused and investigation hurdles

Based on their interrogation, former SIB chief Prabhakar Rao was identified as the prime accused, and a chargesheet was filed within 90 days. Prabhakar Rao and another accused, Shravan, had fled to the United States, prompting the police to issue Red Corner Notices and secure their return.

However, investigators faced major hurdles after crucial evidence within the SIB was allegedly destroyed. Prabhakar Rao reportedly told investigators that the destruction of evidence was carried out on the instructions of higher authorities, making the probe more complex.

Despite repeated assertions that questioning senior officials named in Prabhakar Rao’s statements was essential to take the investigation forward, progress stalled due to procedural and permission-related delays.

Why was the SIT formed now?

Sources indicate that the SIT was formed amid criticism that earlier investigations could not move forward effectively due to delays in obtaining mandatory approvals.

The new team is expected to expand the probe, including examining allegations that illegal phone tapping was used for intimidation and coercion.

Senior officials are said to have deliberated on the SIT’s composition over the past week before formally issuing orders. The government has also directed the SIT to file the chargesheet at the earliest.

There is speculation that the renewed probe aims to uncover the role of senior officials and political leaders allegedly involved in the illegal surveillance network.

Home department’s stand

In a related development, the state Home Department had earlier informed the court that phone tapping permissions were granted based on inputs and recommendations provided by the SIB, citing institutional trust in the intelligence wing at the time