Phone tapping: Telangana HC bars police from arresting Harish Rao; gives go-ahead for investigation

Hyderabad: Telangana High Court has barred police from arresting former BRS minister and MLA Siddipet Harish Rao. However, the court has given the go-ahead for the investigation into a criminal case registered against him.

Justice Kunuru Lakshman passed the order in a petition filed by Harish Rao, MLA Siddipet. The court also issued notice to Gadhagoni Chakradhar Goud, who is a defacto complainant.

Siddharth Luthra, senior counsel of Supreme Court representing the state government informed the court that Gadhagoni Chakradhar Goud first made a complaint before the Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad on November 23, 2024, stating that phones of him and his family members were tapped. He filed a second complaint with the Panjagutta police station.

Luthra informed the court that it is the right of the defacto complainant to file petition challenging the election of T. Harish Rao, which cannot be disputed. He refuted the contention of Ramchander Rao, senior counsel appearing for Harish Rao, that Goud is a habitual complainant as he filed many complaints before the police alleging phone tapping.

Luthra said the only remedy Harish Rao has, in this case, is anticipatory bail. He prayed to the court not to grant protection to Harish Rao from arrest as the phone tapping is a serious offence.

Luthra said at the instance of Harish Rao, who was the minister in BRS government, the phones of Gadhagoni Chakradhar Goud and his family members were tapped, which is a serious offence as per the Telegraph Act and it needs to be investigated by the police.

Luthra argued that the complainant, who is claiming that the men and equipment of the state government which should be utilized for lawful purposes, were being used for the benefit of some private individuals as in this case. State Intelligence personnel and equipment were used to tap the phones of the defacto complainant, which needs to be investigated.

Luthra contended that the fundamental right of an individual has been violated and this aspect needs to be investigated. The complainant was informed by the Apple Company through an e-mail that his phone was being tapped.

After hearing the arguments, Justice Kunuru Lakshman granted protection to Harish Rao but directed the police to go ahead with the investigation.