The political landscape in Telangana has been rocked by allegations of phone-tapping, with former Telangana Intelligence Bureau chief T Prabhakhar Rao named as Accused No 1 in a case that has drawn widespread attention ahead of a general election.
The controversy revolves around the illegal tapping of phones belonging to opposition leaders during the tenure of the previous BRS government led by K Chandrashekar Rao. Mr. Prabhakhar Rao, who is currently reported to be in the United States, has been implicated in ordering the gathering of electronic data through unauthorized means.
Searches have been conducted at Mr. Rao’s residence in Hyderabad, along with nearly a dozen other locations, including the home of Shravan Rao, associated with the Telugu TV channel I News. Shravan Rao, suspected to be abroad, is alleged to have facilitated the setup of phone-tapping equipment and servers from Israel on a local school’s premises.
Another individual named in the case is Radha Kishan Rao, a former city task force officer, who is also being sought under a look-out notice. The investigation has expanded to include several other Telangana police officers, with Additional SPs Bhujanga Rao and Thirupathanna already arrested for illegal monitoring and evidence tampering.
The phone-tapping scandal extends to the monitoring of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, members of the BJP and Congress, as well as individuals associated with the BRS. Reports suggest that Telugu actors and businessmen were also targeted, leading to speculation of blackmail and unauthorized surveillance.
It is alleged that over one lakh phone calls were tapped, raising concerns about privacy violations and misuse of power. As the investigation unfolds, at least 30 police officers are expected to be scrutinized for their involvement in this controversial affair.
Amidst the unfolding scandal, rumors abound about potential implications for leaders of the BRS party, adding further intrigue to the political climate just days before a general election. The State Intelligence Bureau’s role, originally intended for monitoring left-wing extremism, has come under scrutiny for its alleged involvement in political intelligence gathering, highlighting the need for accountability and transparency in law enforcement practices.
Sources By Agencies
