What Hyderabad CP Sajjanar said about SIT summons to Harish Rao in phone tapping case
Police have refuted the allegation that Harish Rao was examined despite a Supreme Court order
By Newsmeter Network
Hyderabad: Amid protests by his supporters, former Irrigation Minister and BRS MLA from Siddipet, T Harish Rao, appeared before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Tuesday.
Accusing the Congress government of a political witchhunt, he said the SIT notice was issued at the behest of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. He termed the SIT questioning as “ trash, a bundle of baseless allegations, repetitive, and hollow talk.”
“Every hour, officials paused, and phone calls came from outside. After those calls, the same questions were asked again. Nothing new was put on record. It wasn’t just them questioning me. I questioned them a lot. I have nothing to do with phone tapping. I was not the Home Minister. I clearly told them to summon the then DGP Mahender Reddy and Intelligence Chief Shivdhar Reddy for questioning,” he said.
What do cops say?
Police have refuted the allegation that Harish Rao was examined despite a Supreme Court order.
Police said Harish Rao was summoned before the Investigation Officer at Jubilee Hills Police Station on January 20, 2026, and examined in detail.
Police said he was allowed to leave early due to his son’s scheduled flight later in the evening. Considering the request, the SIT concluded the examination for the day.
He was clearly instructed not to contact, influence, or interfere with any witnesses connected with the investigation and was informed that he may be summoned again for further examination, if required.
Police clarified that Harish Rao was questioned solely in connection with the phone tapping case, wherein serious allegations with respect to widespread unauthorized and illegal surveillance, monitoring, and interception of phone calls of politicians, businesspersons, etc., are being investigated.
Police said a detailed investigation has been going on in the phone tapping case from March 10, 2024 till the date, with the first chargesheet having been filed against certain accused persons. Further investigation is continuing.
Police requested the public not to believe, propagate, or circulate any false information about Harish Rao being examined despite the Supreme Court order.
