Phone tapping case: SIT summons KTR for questioning on Friday

Hyderabad: The second Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged illegal phone-tapping case on Thursday issued a notice to BRS working president KT Rama Rao (KTR), directing him to appear before investigators on Friday at 11 am at the Jubilee Hills police station.

The notice was served under Section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) at KTR’s residence in Nandi Nagar, Hyderabad.

Notice issued under CrPC Section 160

According to the notice, KTR has been asked to appear before the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Jubilee Hills Division, in connection with Crime No. 243/2024 registered at Panjagutta police station.

Investigators stated that his personal examination is necessary as he is ‘acquainted with the facts and circumstances’ of the case. The summons warns that non-compliance without a lawful excuse could invite action as per law.

Second senior BRS leader summoned

KTR is the second senior leader of the BRS to be summoned in the main case. Earlier this week, the SIT questioned former minister T Harish Rao for almost seven hours in connection with the same investigation.

What is the phone tapping case about?

The case was registered on March 10, 2024, following the formation of the Congress government in Telangana in December 2023.

The investigation pertains to allegations that, during the previous BRS regime, phone conversations of around 6,000 individuals, including judges, politicians, journalists and other prominent persons, were illegally intercepted.

Harish Rao alleges political vendetta

Reacting sharply to the SIT notice issued to KTR, former minister T. Harish Rao accused the Congress government of resorting to ‘diversionary tactics’ to deflect attention from its own failures.

“First, they issued notices to me, now to KTR. We are not afraid of such notices,” Harish Rao said. He alleged that the summons were aimed at silencing BRS leaders for questioning the Congress government.

Harish Rao further claimed that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy was using the SIT probe as a political tool to divert public attention from alleged scandals involving his relatives. “No matter how many notices they issue, we will continue to question the government’s failures,” he asserted.

Investigation continues

The SIT is continuing its probe into the alleged phone-tapping operation, which has emerged as one of the most sensitive political and legal controversies in the state. Further questioning of key political figures is expected as the investigation into the case progresses.