In a significant legal setback for the state government, the Supreme Court on Monday dismissed petitions filed by the Telangana government seeking to reopen an alleged phone tapping case involving former minister and BRS legislator T Harish Rao and a retired police officer. The apex court ruled that there was no fresh evidence or justification to revive the investigation.
Court Rejects State's Appeal Against HC Order
The state government had approached the Supreme Court challenging a March 2025 order from the Telangana High Court. The High Court had quashed the First Information Report (FIR) registered against Harish Rao and former Hyderabad Task Force Deputy Commissioner of Police, P Radhakishan Rao. The specific case was filed at Panjagutta police station in December 2024.
The allegations centered on the illegal surveillance of the phone of G Chakradhar Goud, a real estate developer from Siddipet district. Goud had contested against Harish Rao in the 2023 Assembly election but was unsuccessful. Radhakishan Rao is also an accused in a larger, high-profile illegal phone-tapping case involving multiple politicians and private individuals.
No Grounds for Reopening Investigation: SC Bench
A division bench comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan refused to interfere with the High Court's decision. The bench pointed out that the petitioner, Goud, had already approached the Supreme Court with a similar challenge, which was dismissed. The judges questioned how the state could now seek a different outcome in the same matter.
The bench held that there was no justification to reopen the case, especially since the High Court had delivered a detailed and reasoned order. The Supreme Court also declined the state government's request to reconsider specific portions of the High Court's ruling. The bench emphasized that the investigation was not active on any fresh grounds.
Political Reactions and the 'Clean Chit'
Following the verdict, cadres of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) celebrated, calling it a "clean chit" from the country's highest court. They claimed the allegations were a politically motivated "house of cards" constructed to distract from the ruling government's failures and suppress the opposition.
Harish Rao's office released a statement welcoming the decision. "Harish Rao has always stood for the people, and today, the truth stood by him. Today's verdict is a victory for every person who believes in the rule of law over political revenge," the statement read. The outcome is seen as a major relief for the BRS leader and a blow to the state government's legal pursuit in this matter.
