Hyderabad, January 30, 2026 - Former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) has been issued a fresh summons by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to appear for questioning at his Hyderabad residence on Sunday, regarding the ongoing investigation into alleged phone tapping during his tenure. This marks the first time KCR has been formally summoned in connection with this high-profile case.
The SIT, which is investigating the alleged illegal surveillance activities that occurred during the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) regime, had initially requested KCR to appear for questioning on Friday. However, KCR sought a fresh date, citing prior commitments. Considering KCR's age, the SIT has offered him the option to be questioned at his residence in Nandinagar, Banjara Hills, or any other convenient location within Hyderabad city limits. KCR, however, has requested that the examination be conducted at his farmhouse in Erravelli village. Ultimately, the SIT has directed KCR to be present at his Hyderabad residence.
The notice, issued under Section 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), states that KCR is believed to possess information relevant to the case, making his examination necessary for the ongoing investigation. The investigation is expected to focus on instructions allegedly issued to intelligence and police officials during KCR's tenure, the nature and purpose of the phone surveillance, and who received or benefited from information allegedly gathered through tapping. The SIT is reportedly examining whether illegal surveillance was carried out systematically and whether sensitive data was shared with political or administrative authorities.
The summons has elicited varied reactions. KCR's son, K.T. Rama Rao (KTR), who is also the BRS working president, has accused the Congress government of targeting KCR out of political malice, alleging that the investigation is a distraction from the government's failures to fulfill pre-election promises. KTR described the summons as "revenge" and a "political conspiracy". Conversely, KCR's daughter, K. Kavitha, expressed confidence that KCR would cooperate with the investigation and present his side of the story.
The SIT has already questioned several key figures in connection with the case, including KTR, former Minister T. Harish Rao, and ex-MP Joginapally Santosh Rao. KTR, after an eight-hour questioning session on January 23, criticized the probe as a "calculated diversionary tactic".
The case dates back to March 2024, a few months after Congress assumed office in Telangana, following a complaint by the additional SP (administration) of the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB). Those accused in the phone tapping case so far are former Special Intelligence Branch (SIB) chief and IPS officer T Prabhakar Rao, Deputy Superintendent of Police D Praneeth Rao, Additional Superintendents of Police M Thirupathanna and N Bhujanga Rao, former Superintendent of Police P Radhakishan Rao, and a TV channel owner, A Shravan Kumar Rao.
The questioning of KCR is a significant development in the phone tapping case, potentially revealing further details about the alleged illegal surveillance activities during the BRS regime. The investigation is ongoing, and further developments are expected as the SIT continues its inquiry.
