SIT Issues Notice to Former Telangana CM KCR in Phone Tapping Investigation
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged illegal phone surveillance during the Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) government's tenure in Telangana has escalated its investigation by summoning former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao for questioning. This development marks a significant step in the ongoing probe initiated by the current Congress government, which has accused the previous BRS administration of conducting surveillance on political rivals.
Notice Served at Residence Under CrPC 160
SIT officials visited KCR's residence at Nandi Nagar in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, to personally serve the notice under CrPC Section 160. The notice, signed by P Venkatagiri, Assistant Commissioner of Police of the Jubilee Hills Division, states that during the investigation, it has been revealed that the former Chief Minister possesses knowledge of facts and circumstances relevant to the case. "Your examination is therefore necessary and required for the purpose of further investigation," the notice explicitly states.
First Direct Summons to BRS Supremo
This represents the first time KCR has been directly summoned by the SIT in this case. Previously, the investigation team had already recorded statements from several close family members and associates, including:
- His son, K T Rama Rao
- His nephew, T Harish Rao
- Another nephew, Joginipally Santosh Kumar
The Congress government has consistently alleged that the BRS administration engaged in systematic snooping on political opponents, with accusations that this surveillance was part of a conspiracy to secure a third consecutive electoral victory for the party in Telangana.
Allegations of Systematic Political Surveillance
According to the SIT's findings, certain officers within the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) had formed an exclusive group that conducted unauthorized surveillance of political rivals. This alleged coterie reportedly operated to serve the interests of the then BRS government and some of its top leadership figures.
In a related development, a formal case has been registered against Harish Rao, encompassing multiple charges including:
- Criminal conspiracy
- Extortion
- Criminal breach of trust
- Criminal intimidation
- Violations under Section 66 of the Information Technology Act
Convenient Arrangements for Senior Leader
The SIT has scheduled KCR's statement recording for January 30 at 3:00 PM. Recognizing that the former Chief Minister is above 65 years of age, the investigation team has offered flexible arrangements. KCR is not required to visit the police station; instead, his statement can be recorded at his residence or any other convenient location within Hyderabad city.
"If you desire so, you may voluntarily appear before the undersigned at the Jubilee Hills Police Station or, alternatively, you may specify any other place within Hyderabad city convenient for examination, and the undersigned, along with the investigation team, shall attend the said place accordingly on the above-mentioned date and time," the notice further clarifies.
Previous Judicial Appearances by KCR
This is not the first time KCR has been called to provide testimony in an official inquiry. Last June, he appeared before a judicial commission of inquiry headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose. That commission was constituted by the state government to investigate alleged irregularities in the planning, design, and construction of the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla Barrages of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, where KCR's deposition lasted approximately 50 minutes.
The current phone tapping investigation represents another significant legal challenge for the BRS leadership, coming at a time when the party faces multiple probes under the Congress administration that came to power following the 2023 assembly elections. The SIT's decision to summon the former Chief Minister directly indicates the investigation is reaching higher levels of the previous administration's hierarchy.
