SIT Issues Notice to Former Telangana CM KCR in Phone Tapping Investigation
In a significant development in the ongoing phone surveillance probe, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has formally served a notice to Telangana's former chief minister and BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao. The notice requires his appearance before investigators at 3 pm on January 30 for detailed questioning regarding the controversial phone tapping case that has gripped political circles in Hyderabad.
Age Consideration Leads to Flexible Venue Options
Demonstrating procedural sensitivity, the investigation officers have extended special consideration to KCR due to his age. The notice explicitly states that, in strict compliance with section 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), individuals above 65 years are not required to attend police stations compulsorily. Investigation officer K Venkatagiri has accordingly offered the BRS leader the option to either appear at the Jubilee Hills police station or select any other convenient location within Hyderabad for the questioning session.
The official communication emphasized that this accommodation reflects both legal provisions and respect for the former chief minister's senior status while ensuring the investigation proceeds without unnecessary procedural hurdles.
Substantive Grounds for Examination Cited
The SIT notice outlines compelling reasons for summoning KCR, stating that preliminary investigations have established his familiarity with facts and circumstances relevant to the case. According to the document, his examination has been deemed "necessary and required for the purpose of further investigation", suggesting that investigators believe he possesses information crucial to unraveling the complete picture of the alleged surveillance activities.
Historical Context of the Surveillance Case
This high-profile case traces its origins to March 2024, merely months after the Congress party assumed office in Telangana following the December 2023 assembly elections. The investigation was initiated based on a formal complaint filed by the additional Superintendent of Police (administration) of the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB).
Hyderabad police subsequently registered a criminal case alleging systematic phone surveillance operations during the previous BRS government's tenure. The complaint contained serious allegations against then SIB DSP D Praneeth Rao, accusing him of destroying hard disks and other sensitive electronic equipment after the BRS party's electoral defeat.
The investigation has since evolved into a comprehensive probe examining:
- The extent and methodology of alleged phone surveillance
- Potential political motivations behind the surveillance activities
- Chain of command and authorization processes
- Destruction of evidence following the regime change
This development marks a crucial phase in the investigation, bringing the scrutiny directly to the highest levels of the previous administration. The questioning of KCR represents a pivotal moment that could potentially reveal new dimensions of the case that has already generated significant political and legal debate across Telangana.
