Former Telangana Chief Minister Faces Intense Interrogation in Phone Tapping Probe
In a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the alleged phone tapping scandal, former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) underwent an exhaustive five-hour questioning session by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Sunday. The interrogation took place at his residence in the upscale Banjara Hills area of Hyderabad, amid heightened security measures and political tension.
SIT Forces KCR to Read Legal Provisions After Claims of Ignorance
According to sources familiar with the proceedings, the SIT officials, led by Joint Commissioner of Police (Special Branch) S M Vijay Kumar, took an unusual step during the interrogation. When KCR reportedly claimed ignorance about the technicalities of phone surveillance, the investigators made him read specific provisions of the Indian Telegraph Act aloud. This move came after the former CM stated he had no knowledge about individual phone lines being monitored during the tenure of his Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government.
"KCR was asked to read the provisions of the Indian Telegraph Act after he claimed to be ignorant about it and said he had no knowledge about phone lines of individuals being monitored during BRS' tenure," revealed a source close to the investigation.
Detailed Questioning on Surveillance Protocols and Personnel Decisions
The SIT's questioning delved deep into multiple aspects of the alleged phone tapping operation. Investigators reportedly asked KCR several pointed questions, including:
- Why telephone lines are intercepted under legal provisions
- What rules must be followed for the destruction of material related to phone tapping
- Why the BRS government retained T Prabhakar Rao as chief of the sensitive Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) even after his retirement
Prabhakar Rao has been cited as the prime accused by Hyderabad police in the phone tapping case, which came to light after the Congress party came to power in the state in 2024. The case alleges that phone lines of senior political leaders, including current Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, industrialists, and journalists were tapped during the BRS regime ahead of the 2023 assembly elections.
Heavy Security and Political Drama Surround Interrogation
The day-long event was marked by substantial security arrangements and political theater. A large posse of policemen was deployed in and around KCR's Nandi Nagar residence in Banjara Hills throughout the day. Senior BRS leaders, including working president K T Rama Rao (KTR) and former state minister Harish Rao, were present inside the house during the questioning session.
KCR's interrogation follows similar grillings of KTR and Harish Rao by SIT officials in recent days regarding their alleged knowledge of the phone-tapping case. So far, five senior police officials have been accused in the case.
Logistical Challenges and Last-Minute Changes
The questioning session almost didn't happen at the scheduled location. Initially served a notice for questioning on January 29, KCR requested more time and asked the SIT to conduct the interrogation at his farmhouse in Erravalli, approximately 65 kilometers from Hyderabad. However, the SIT turned down this request and directed him to be present at his registered Nandi Nagar residence.
On Sunday morning, KCR set out from his Erravalli farmhouse for Hyderabad accompanied by a large convoy of vehicles and party workers. Along the route, party cadre greeted him, with some even showering his convoy with flowers. Upon reaching Hyderabad, traffic police intervened to restrict the movement of vehicles following him at different points in the city.
Between the KBR X Roads and Cancer Hospital stretch, police stopped all other vehicles and allowed only KCR's SUV to enter a by-lane leading to his residence. He reached his Nandi Nagar home around 1 pm, with SIT officials arriving at approximately 2:45 pm in eight vehicles carrying substantial investigation material.
Statewide Security Measures and Political Aftermath
With BRS workers threatening to protest against the notice served to KCR, security was beefed up across Telangana. Heavy bandobast was deployed along the route from Erravalli to Hyderabad to manage traffic and prevent any untoward incidents.
The scheduled questioning began around 3 pm and concluded nearly five hours later. Following the interrogation, KCR appeared on the balcony of his residence along with BRS legislators and other senior party leaders to greet followers who had gathered in large numbers outside.
The SIT later issued a statement confirming they had concluded KCR's questioning, marking another significant step in the investigation that has gripped Telangana's political landscape and raised serious questions about surveillance practices during the previous administration.
