Telangana's former Chief Minister, K. Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR), faced a five-hour questioning session on Sunday by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) regarding the alleged phone tapping and illegal surveillance case. During the interrogation, KCR was reportedly asked to read specific provisions of the Indian Telegraph Act.
The SIT's decision to have KCR read the Telegraph Act came after he claimed ignorance about it, stating he had no knowledge of individuals' phone lines being monitored during his government's tenure. Sources indicate that the SIT questioned him on the reasons for intercepting phone lines and the procedures to be followed for destroying tapping-related material.
In addition to the Telegraph Act, the SIT, led by S M Vijay Kumar, Joint Commissioner of Police (Special Branch), inquired why the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government retained T Prabhakar Rao as the chief of the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) even after his retirement. Prabhakar Rao was named as the prime accused in the case by Hyderabad police in 2024, following the Congress party assuming office.
The questioning took place at KCR's Banjara Hills residence, where a significant police presence was deployed. Senior BRS leaders, including K T Rama Rao and Harish Rao, were present inside the house during the questioning.
Initially, KCR was served a notice for questioning on January 29, but he requested more time, leading to the session being rescheduled to February 1. His request to be questioned at his farmhouse in Erravalli was denied. The SIT arrived at KCR's house around 2:45 pm with a substantial amount of investigation-related material, and the questioning commenced around 3 pm.
Prior to the questioning, KCR initially deemed the notice "illegal," citing violations of his constitutional rights under Articles 21 and 14, arguing that the notice was not served in accordance with legal requirements and violated his dignity and right to equality. He pointed out that the notice was pasted on the compound wall of his house in Nandi Nagar, which he claimed was not a legal way to serve a notice. He argued that the Jubilee Hills police did not have the jurisdiction to issue notices to him since he does not live within their limits. He cited a Supreme Court judgment to support his claim that the notice was not validly served.
Despite his objections, KCR agreed to appear for questioning, stating that as a former Chief Minister, Leader of Opposition, and responsible citizen, he wanted to assist in the investigation.
The case revolves around allegations of widespread unauthorized and illegal phone surveillance and interception involving politicians, businessmen, journalists, members of the judiciary, and other prominent individuals. The nine-member SIT is headed by Hyderabad City Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar. Several other BRS leaders have also been summoned and questioned by the SIT in connection with the case.
Congress leader Mahesh Kumar Goud has criticized the BRS, alleging that the BRS government misused the Telegraph Act and tapped phones illegally. Goud stated that the Telegraph Act permits phone tapping only during emergency situations, but the BRS government violated these rules, tapping the phones of industrialists and film personalities and using the information for blackmail.