Former Telangana CM KCR Grilled for Five Hours by SIT in Phone Tapping Probe
In a significant development in the alleged phone tapping and illegal surveillance case, Telangana's former chief minister and BRS president K Chandrasekar Rao was questioned for five hours on Sunday by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). The interrogation took place at his Banjara Hills residence in Hyderabad, with security heightened across the state amid threats of protests from BRS workers.
KCR Reportedly Made to Read Telegraph Act Provisions
According to sources familiar with the investigation, KCR was made to read certain provisions of the Indian Telegraph Act during the questioning. This unusual step came after the former chief minister reportedly claimed ignorance about the Act and stated he had no knowledge about phone lines of individuals being monitored during his government's tenure.
"KCR was asked to read the provisions of the Act after he claimed to be ignorant about it, and said he had no knowledge about phone lines of individuals being monitored during his govt," revealed a source close to the investigation.
Key Questions Posed During Interrogation
The SIT sleuths, led by Joint Commissioner of Police (Special Branch) S M Vijay Kumar, posed several crucial questions to the former chief minister:
- Why telephone lines were intercepted during his administration
- What rules must be followed for destruction of material related to tapping
- Why the BRS government retained T Prabhakar Rao as chief of Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) even after his retirement
Prabhakar Rao was named as the prime accused in the case by Hyderabad police in 2024, shortly after the Congress party assumed office in the state.
Heightened Security and Political Presence
A large posse of policemen was deployed in and around KCR's Banjara Hills residence throughout the day of questioning. Senior BRS party members, including working president K T Rama Rao and former state minister Harish Rao, were present inside the house during the interrogation, demonstrating party solidarity.
Timeline of the Investigation Process
The questioning process followed a specific timeline and procedural developments:
- KCR was initially served a notice for questioning on January 29
- The date was pushed to February 1 after he sought more time
- His request to conduct the interrogation at his farmhouse in Erravalli was turned down by authorities
- The SIT arrived at KCR's house around 2:45 PM, carrying substantial investigation material
- Questioning began around 3 PM and concluded after five hours
Later in the day, the SIT issued an official statement confirming they had concluded KCR's questioning. The investigation continues to unfold as authorities examine the alleged phone tapping and surveillance activities that occurred during the previous BRS government's administration.
