Phone tapping case: Telangana DGP wrote to Interpol for Red Corner notices on Prabhakar Rao, Shravan Rao

Hyderabad: Telangana Director-General of Police (DGP) Dr Jitender said that they had written to the Interpol to serve Red Corner notices to former SIB chief Prabhakar Rao and private news channel MD Shravan Rao in connection with the phone tapping case.

“Currently, a special team of officials including the commissioner of Hyderabad Police and the West Zone DCP have been probing the phone tapping case and they will soon file a chargesheet,” the DGP said.

Prabhakar Rao and Shravan Rao have reportedly fled to the United States days after the Hyderabad police registered cases in connection with the phone-tapping case and arrested SIB’s suspended DSP G Praneeth Rao.

In an interaction with the media at Telangana Police headquarters here on Tuesday, Jitender said that it may take some time to serve Red Corner notices on Prabhakar Rao and Shravan Rao.

A Red Corner notice is a request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender or similar legal action.

Commenting on the delay in serving Red Corner notices, Jitender said it would be a long process and the officials should follow protocol and international guidelines.

“I worked in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and I am aware of the procedures because I was a nodal officer. If the CBI gets the necessary guidelines from the Interpol Red Corner notices will be served on them,” he said.

Jainoor clashes

Reacting to the Jainoor clashes on September 4, the DGP said that tensions flared in Asifabad district after a group protested against the rape attempt on a tribal woman.

“It was an unfortunate incident that happened at Jainoor. As many as 38 persons were arrested by the police after the law and order situation went out of control. A DCP was also suspended for dereliction of his duties,” he said.

Dalit family 'ostracised' for not following traditional occupation in Telangana; 16 held

Referring to the recent incident where a Madiga (Dalit) family was allegedly subjected to a social boycott in Medak district, the DGP said that a case was registered and action would be taken as per the law.

Sixteen people of a village in Medak district of Telangana were arrested for allegedly enforcing a social boycott on members of a Dalit family after they refused to play 'Dappu' (percussion instrument) during village ceremonies, police said on Tuesday.

The family belonging to Madiga community (Scheduled Castes) was allegedly ostracised by some villagers after they refused to continue their traditional occupation of playing 'Dappu' during funerals in the village.

Two brothers of the Dalit family, who are postgraduates and employed in Hyderabad, were being pressurised by some villagers, including some belonging to their own community to play the instrument during ceremonies. However, the brothers had declined.

The Upa Sarpanch was also accused of not granting permission for constructing a house and provide water connection to the family, police said.

Some villagers held a meeting on September 10 and passed a resolution to socially boycott the family after the brothers refused to follow the direction to continue their family's traditional occupation.

The resolution also warned of imposing a fine of Rs 5,000 on those disobeying the "direction".

Subsequently, the brothers lodged a complaint with the police following which a case was registered under relevant sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and Protection of Civil Rights Act on September 12.

The brothers also moved the Telangana High Court, which directed the police to provide protection to the family.

The Medak District Collector and Superintendent of Police on Monday visited the village and conducted a meeting with the villagers over the social boycott and counselled them.

Leftwing Extremism in State

While maintaining that there was no presence of Maoists in the State, Jitender said, “However, they are trying to make their presence in the State by staying in the neighbouring States of Telangana. Steps are being taken to curtail the Maoist movement in the State in a full-fledged manner,” he added.

On the completion of Ganesh Visarjan and Milad-un-Nabi processions in the State, the DGP said that as many as 1,36,638 idols were immersed in 5,879 spots across the State. As many as 12,000 trainee SIs and constables were deployed on duty who ensured a smooth and peaceful immersion of the Ganesh idols and Milad-un-Nabi processions. Apart from minor incidents, the Milad-un-Nabi processions were concluded peacefully in the State, he said.

Reacting to the usage of DJs during the processions, the DGP said that the loud noise from the DJs not only causes sound pollution but also health issues to the public. “Soon, we will release certain guidelines regarding the usage of the DJs in the State,” Jitender said.

Inputs from PTI