SIT Firm on Hyderabad Venue for KCR's Questioning in Phone Tapping Probe
The ongoing standoff between former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and the Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the phone tapping case has intensified, with the investigative body firmly rejecting KCR's request to be examined at his farmhouse. The SIT has issued a second notice directing the former CM to present himself at his official residence in Hyderabad for questioning.
Second Notice Clarifies Jurisdiction and Venue
On Friday, the SIT served a detailed second notice to K Chandrashekar Rao, explicitly stating that his examination in the phone tapping case must occur at his official residence located in Nandi Nagar, Hyderabad. The notice emphasized that this location falls within the permitted jurisdiction for such investigative procedures.
The SIT categorically informed KCR that he cannot be questioned at his Erravalli farmhouse in Siddipet, which is approximately 60 kilometers from Hyderabad. The investigative team has scheduled the questioning session for February 1 at 3:00 PM, as per the second notice.
Legal and Administrative Grounds for Decision
The notice from the SIT provided specific legal and administrative justifications for their decision. "Considering your age and in view of the provision of section 160 CrPC, the undersigned had offered to undertake the investigation at your residential address as per records," the notice stated.
It further elaborated: "The request for examination at a place which is not your official residence as per official records cannot be acceded to, as the venue of examination is determined with reference to the ordinary place of residence reflected in official records."
According to the SIT, KCR's official residence is documented as the Nandi Nagar address in both his election affidavit and a Writ petition filed by him previously.
Sensitive Evidence and Administrative Practicality
The notice highlighted another crucial factor: "As the examination involves reference to many electronic and physical records which are sensitive in nature, it would be administratively difficult to transport the same to Erravalli village. You are therefore requested to make yourself available at your residence in Hyderabad for examination..."
This statement underscores the practical challenges of moving sensitive investigative materials to a location outside Hyderabad, reinforcing the SIT's insistence on the Hyderabad venue.
Background of the Notice Exchange
This development follows KCR's response to the SIT's first notice, which was served on Thursday. In his reply, the former chief minister had suggested that the investigative team could examine him "at his station of residence," referring to the Erravalli farmhouse.
KCR had also requested a postponement of the questioning date, citing the ongoing process of nominations being filed for municipal and corporation elections. He proposed that the examination be conducted at a later "convenient" date instead of January 30.
The initial notice from the SIT had asked KCR to appear before them on January 30 at 3:00 PM to record his statement regarding alleged phone tapping that occurred during his Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government's tenure in Telangana. This notice was served at KCR's Nandi Nagar residence under CrPC section 160, which grants investigating officers the authority to formally summon individuals.
Widening Investigation and Previous Statements
KCR's summons came after the SIT had already recorded statements from several key individuals, including:
- His son, K T Rama Rao
- His nephews, T Harish Rao and Joginipally Santosh Kumar
The phone tapping case has seen multiple individuals accused, including:
- Former Special Intelligence Branch (SIB) chief and IPS officer T Prabhakar Rao
- Deputy Superintendent of Police D Praneeth Rao
- Additional Superintendents of Police M Thirupathanna and N Bhujanga Rao
- Former Superintendent of Police P Radhakishan Rao
- TV channel owner A Shravan Kumar Rao
SIT sources have previously indicated that evidence suggests at least 600 phone numbers tapped by the SIB under Prabhakar Rao were unrelated to Left-wing extremism activities. The SIB was originally established in 1990 to monitor and prevent activities of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist).
The investigation has reportedly expanded to include illegal access to call data records and Internet Protocol data records of thousands of individuals from various backgrounds and professions.
Legal Basis for KCR's Examination
The first notice to KCR, signed by P Venkatagiri, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Jubilee Hills Division, stated that during the investigation, it was revealed that the former chief minister was "acquainted with facts and circumstances relevant to the case."
The notice concluded: "Your examination is therefore necessary and required for the purpose of further investigation."
This legal foundation establishes the necessity of KCR's cooperation with the SIT as the probe into the extensive phone tapping allegations continues to unfold.
