KCR Grilled for Over Four Hours in Phone-Tapping Case; BRS Turns Questioning into Political Spectacle
Former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao faced intense questioning for more than four hours on Sunday in connection with the alleged illegal phone-tapping case that has rocked the state's political landscape. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) recorded the entire proceedings on video as they probed Rao's role in sanctioning the controversial surveillance operations.
Focus on Relationships with Accused Officials
According to SIT sources, the questioning primarily revolved around KCR's close relationship with former Special Intelligence Branch (SIB) chief T Prabhakar Rao, who stands as the prime accused in this high-profile case. Investigators also examined the former chief minister's connections with five other individuals implicated in the alleged illegal phone-tapping scandal.
The SIT officially stated that they had "concluded" KCR's questioning session, while sources close to the BRS leader described the interaction as "amicable" despite its extended duration. However, the political drama surrounding the investigation reached fever pitch as BRS supporters transformed the legal proceeding into a massive show of political strength.
BRS Orchestrates Massive Show of Support
From early Sunday morning, roads connecting KCR's Erravalli farmhouse in Siddipet to his Nandi Nagar residence in Hyderabad became corridors of political theater. Thousands of Bharat Rashtra Samithi supporters lined the routes, shouting "Jai Telangana" slogans as their leader traveled to face investigators.
The spectacle intensified as KCR reached his official residence, where police had erected barricades on all four sides to control the swelling crowds. Only his vehicle and security detail were permitted entry, while supporters waving black flags and burning effigies created a charged atmosphere outside the premises.
BRS working president K T Rama Rao (KTR) personally received his father at the residence, accompanied by other family members including former minister Harish Rao and former MP J Santhosh Rao. During the questioning, KTR took to social media to declare: "KCR is invincible... He is the history of Telangana and you wouldn't even be a footnote."
Political Allegations and Legal Wrangling
Following the marathon questioning session, KTR launched a scathing attack on the investigation, labeling the case as "silly, frivolous and bogus." He claimed the timing was deliberately chosen to coincide with Budget Day to divert attention from what he described as the state government's inefficiency.
"He was asked if illegal tapping took place. He said 'no'," KTR stated emphatically. "Because we are a party which is responsible, we attended the SIT questioning. Each question which was asked by the SIT was answered by KCR clearly."
Several BRS leaders questioned the prolonged interrogation of their 65-year-old leader, arguing that questioning under Section 160 of the CrPC should typically be limited to less than three hours. SIT sources countered that their approach remained within legal boundaries, citing appropriate provisions.
Background of the Controversial Case
The phone-tapping case centers on allegations that phones of BRS political rivals were illegally monitored during the party's tenure in power. The accused include high-ranking police officials and a television channel owner, with investigators claiming evidence of at least 600 phone numbers being tapped unrelated to legitimate security concerns.
Originally established in 1990 to track Left Wing Extremism, the Special Intelligence Branch allegedly expanded its surveillance beyond constitutional boundaries. The investigation has now widened to examine potential illegal access to call data records and internet protocol data records of thousands of individuals.
The questioning session finally resolved a contentious standoff between Telangana Police and KCR regarding the venue for his examination. After initially requesting to provide his statement at his Siddipet farmhouse, KCR ultimately agreed to appear at his Nandi Nagar residence, though he expressed reluctance about the arrangement.
As KCR departed for his farmhouse around 10 pm, the political implications of this investigation continued to reverberate through Telangana's charged political atmosphere, with both sides preparing for what promises to be an extended legal and political battle.
