KTR Vs CP Sajjanar: What triggered a political showdown in the phone tapping case

Hyderabad: Phone-tapping investigation in Telangana has triggered a showdown between BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) and Hyderabad City Police Commissioner V.C Sajjanar.

The investigation has pitted the opposition against the Congress-led state government over the conduct and intent of the SIT probe.

While KTR has accused the government of using the Special Investigation Team (SIT) as a political weapon to divert attention from governance failures, Sajjanar has firmly rejected what he calls “false narratives”, insisting that the investigation is being conducted strictly in accordance with law and evidence.

KTR calls probe political vendetta

Addressing the media in Sircilla on Thursday after he was asked to appear before SIT for questioning on Friday, KTR alleged that the phone-tapping case was a “manufactured controversy” designed to shield Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and mask the Congress government’s inability to fulfil its electoral promises.

Describing the SIT probe as a “time-pass exercise”, KTR said notices were being issued selectively to BRS leaders to keep the issue alive in public discourse. “This investigation resembles a daily television serial. If it is genuine, why are senior police and intelligence officials being spared?” he asked.

‘Question officers, not politicians’

KTR questioned why serving and former top officials, including former DGPs and intelligence chiefs, had not been summoned. He argued that surveillance systems are institutional mechanisms that operate within the police and intelligence establishment and are not run by ministers or political executives.

“Such systems have existed since the time of Jawaharlal Nehru and continue even today under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Political leaders do not operate them,” he said, challenging the government to produce a senior official who would publicly state that opposition leaders’ phones were not being tapped even now.

Allegations of selective leaks

Accusing the government of encouraging selective media leaks, KTR said there had been no official press conference or formal clarification from the police in the last two years. “Instead, anonymous stories are floated to malign opposition leaders,” he alleged, calling the case “baseless”.

He further claimed that whenever governance issues surfaced, ranging from Kaleshwaram and Formula-E to sheep procurement, a new controversy was rolled out to divert public attention.

Responding sharply, Police Commissioner Sajjanar rejected claims that alleged phone interception was carried out on security grounds or that the probe lacked legal basis. He said the SIT was investigating allegations of illegal phone tapping “fairly, professionally and strictly as per law”.

In a statement, Sajjanar said certain individuals and sections of the media were circulating misleading claims to influence public opinion. “Such content has no relevance to the investigation,” he asserted.

Eight-hour questioning of KTR

Sajjanar confirmed that the SIT questioned KTR for nearly eight hours, focusing on issues including alleged fund flows to the party, such as through electoral bonds. He clarified that the examination was conducted solely in connection with Crime No. 243 of 2024.

The case pertains to alleged unauthorised and illegal interception of communications of thousands of individuals, including politicians, businesspersons, journalists, members of the judiciary, and other eminent personalities.

Warning against witness influence

The Commissioner said KTR had been instructed not to contact or influence witnesses linked to the case and informed that he could be summoned again if required. “The SIT will pursue the investigation independently, based only on evidence,” Sajjanar said.

Sajjanar issues legal notice to BRS leader Praveen Kumar over ‘Seven Cases’ claim

Meanwhile, Sajjanar, on Friday, issued a legal notice to BRS leader RS Praveen Kumar, asking him to furnish details of seven criminal cases that he had claimed were registered against the Police Commissioner.

Sajjanar directed Praveen Kumar to submit complete and specific particulars of the alleged cases within two days from the date of receipt of the notice.

Allegation made at Press Conference

Earlier in the day, Praveen Kumar, a retired IPS officer who later entered politics, alleged at a press conference that seven criminal cases had been registered against Sajjanar.

He made the remarks while criticising the SIT for issuing notices to BRS leaders in connection with the phone-tapping investigation. Praveen Kumar also demanded the constitution of a separate SIT to probe the alleged cases against the Police Commissioner.

As part of the probe, the SIT has recently summoned senior BRS leaders and former ministers, including KTR and Harish Rao, for questioning.

Sajjanar terms claims ‘Defamatory’

In the notice, Sajjanar described Praveen Kumar’s public statements as “highly defamatory, reckless, irresponsible, and misleading.”

“By making such allegations publicly, you have not only attempted to lower the reputation and credibility of the SIT and its Chief with false and insulting statements, but have also sought to obstruct and hinder the lawful discharge of official duties, besides causing serious prejudice to the ongoing investigation and misleading the public,” the notice stated.

Legal action warned

The Police Commissioner warned that failure to comply with the demand within the stipulated time would compel him to initiate appropriate civil and criminal proceedings, including cases related to defamation and criminal intimidation.

Criticism of Congress Government

Addressing the media earlier, Praveen Kumar also accused the Congress government of conducting the phone-tapping investigation in a partisan manner. He criticised the SIT for summoning top BRS leaders, alleging that the probe was being used to target opposition figures.