SIT Firm on Hyderabad Venue, Rejects KCR's Farmhouse Request for Questioning
In a significant development in the ongoing phone tapping investigation, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has firmly rejected former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's request to be questioned at his Erravalli farmhouse. The SIT, led by Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar, has mandated that the examination must take place at Rao's official residence in Hyderabad's Nandi Nagar area.
Fresh Notice Issued After Deliberations
This decision was communicated through a fresh notice issued on Friday, which came in response to KCR's letter seeking both deferment of the questioning and relaxation of the conditions regarding the venue. Senior police officials confirmed that the former chief minister would now be questioned at his Nandi Nagar house at 3 pm on February 1.
On Friday night, a police team visited KCR's Nandi Nagar residence to personally serve the notice. However, finding only a watchman present and the house completely unlit, the officials took the step of pasting the notice prominently on the wall before departing from the premises.
SIT Cites Administrative and Security Concerns
In its latest communication, the SIT provided detailed reasoning for rejecting the farmhouse venue. The investigation team emphasized that the examination involves reference to numerous sensitive electronic and physical records. Transporting these crucial pieces of evidence to Erravalli village in Siddipet district would present significant administrative challenges and potential security risks.
Furthermore, the notice clearly stated that the request for examination at a location other than the residence mentioned in official records could not be accepted. The SIT explained that the venue for such proceedings is determined strictly based on the address reflected in official documents. Officials clarified that the address under consideration was specifically the one mentioned in KCR's own affidavit.
Background of the Request and Investigation Status
KCR's request originated in response to an earlier notice served on January 29, which required his appearance on Friday. The former chief minister communicated that he was unable to appear on that day and subsequently requested that the SIT question him at his Erravalli farmhouse after investigators asked him to indicate a preferred location within Hyderabad.
Sources indicate that KCR has been staying at his Erravalli farmhouse since Thursday, potentially explaining his preference for that location. Meanwhile, the SIT has been diligently probing the phone tapping case since 2024 and is believed to be in the final stages of its comprehensive investigation. This phase is crucial as it precedes the filing of a supplementary chargesheet in the matter.
KCR's Previous Stance on the Matter
In earlier press conferences addressing the allegations, K Chandrasekhar Rao maintained a consistent position. He asserted that he only received intelligence reports during his tenure and that the government had no role in how the information was generated or collected. This defense forms a key part of his response to the ongoing investigation into the phone tapping allegations that have created significant political waves in Telangana.
The upcoming questioning session on February 1 therefore represents a critical juncture in this high-profile case, bringing together investigative requirements, legal procedures, and political implications in what promises to be a closely watched development.
