The Supreme Court of India has extended the police custody of former Telangana State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) chief T Prabhakar Rao until December 25 in connection with the high-profile phone-tapping case. The court directed that Rao be released from custody after interrogation on December 26.
Court's Directives and Interim Relief
A bench comprising Justices B V Nagarathna and R Mahadevan issued the order on Friday, December 19, 2025. The bench explicitly stated that no coercive action should be taken against Prabhakar Rao until the next date of hearing. This interim protection provides significant relief to the former top police official while the legal process unfolds.
The court's decision effectively modifies the terms of his custody, ensuring his release immediately after the stipulated interrogation period concludes on the day after Christmas. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on a future date, which the court will announce.
Background of the Phone-Tapping Controversy
The case revolves around allegations of unauthorized surveillance and phone-tapping during the previous administration in Telangana. T Prabhakar Rao, who headed the state's intelligence wing, is a key figure in the investigation being conducted by the Telangana Police.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case had sought his custody for detailed questioning regarding the alleged illegal monitoring of politicians, journalists, and other individuals. The Supreme Court's order now sets a clear timeline for this police interrogation, balancing investigative needs with the rights of the accused.
Legal Implications and Next Steps
This Supreme Court order is a crucial development in a case that has attracted significant political and public attention. By setting a fixed end date for police custody and granting interim protection from coercive measures, the court has laid down a structured legal pathway.
The investigation into the Telangana phone-tapping case is expected to delve deeper into the methods, authorizations, and purposes behind the alleged surveillance. All eyes will now be on the next hearing date, where further arguments and potentially more evidence will be presented.
The outcome of this case could have wider implications for privacy laws and the protocols governing intelligence operations by state agencies in India.
