Telangana phone-tapping: SIT intensifies probe, begins recording victims’ statements

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the phone-tapping case in Telanagana has begun recording statements of the victims.

Political leaders, businessmen and journalists, whose phones were allegedly tapped during the previous Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) government, have been summoned by the SIT officials.

The investigation team has summoned again former Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) chief T. Prabhakar Rao who is the prime accused in the case.

Rao, who has already been grilled for three times in the case, has been directed to appear before the SIT officials on June 17.

The case pertains to the alleged snooping on several prominent individuals and political leaders who were opposed to the BRS.

Rao, who is accused of orchestrating the illegal surveillance, was questioned based on the statements of former deputy superintendent of police D Praneeth Rao, retired deputy commissioner of police P. Radha Kishan Rao and additional superintendents of police N Bhujanga Rao and M. Thirupathanna.

These arrested officials reportedly told the SIT that they were acting on the instructions of Rao, who was heading the SIB then.

Rao resigned from the SIB chief’s post a day after the assembly elections results were announced, with the Congress wresting power from the BRS.

Prabhakar Rao, who earlier cited ill health and was believed to be in the United States, landed in Hyderabad on June 8.

Earlier, a Red Corner Notice was issued against him and his passport was revoked.

 

India