KCR Ready to Face SIT in Phone Tapping Probe, But Demands Questioning at His Farmhouse
In a significant development in the ongoing phone tapping investigation, former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, popularly known as KCR, has indicated his willingness to appear before the Special Investigation Team (SIT). However, he has set a specific condition: the questioning must take place at his usual place of residence, the Erravalli farmhouse in Siddipet district, located approximately 60 kilometers from Hyderabad.
Legal Basis for KCR's Demand
Sources close to KCR have informed that the notices served under Section 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) allow individuals over the age of 65 to be examined at their "usual place of residence." This provision, they argue, does not impose jurisdictional limits, meaning the SIT can conduct the interrogation at the farmhouse. A source emphasized, "The SIT is mandating that he should appear within its Hyderabad jurisdiction for questioning. But that is not the correct stand under the law. He should be questioned where he resides normally. They should come to him for questioning there." A formal reply outlining this stance is expected to be sent to the SIT shortly.
Background of the SIT Investigation
The SIT is probing allegations of illegal phone tapping during the tenure of the KCR-led Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) government in Telangana. The current Congress administration has accused the previous BRS regime of conducting surveillance on political opponents ahead of the last Assembly elections, allegedly to secure a third consecutive victory for the party. According to the SIT, certain officers from the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) formed a group to carry out unauthorized monitoring of rivals to benefit top BRS leaders.
This marks the first time KCR has been summoned by the SIT, which has already recorded statements from his son K T Rama Rao and nephews T Harish Rao and Joginipally Santosh Kumar. The notice, issued by P Venkatagiri, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Jubilee Hills Division, states that during the investigation, it was revealed KCR is acquainted with facts relevant to the case, making his examination necessary for further progress.
Details of the SIT Notice
The SIT notice requested KCR to record his statement on January 30 at 3 pm, offering flexibility by allowing him to appear voluntarily at the Jubilee Hills Police Station or specify any other convenient location within Hyderabad city. In such a case, the investigation team would attend that place accordingly. This move follows SIT officials visiting KCR's residence in Banjara Hills to serve the notice under CrPC 160, which grants investigating officers the authority to formally summon individuals.
KCR's recent legal engagements include a 50-minute deposition last June before a judicial commission headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose, investigating irregularities in the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project barrages.
The case continues to unfold as political tensions in Telangana remain high, with the Congress government actively pursuing allegations against the former BRS administration.
