Hyderabad: In a major development in the politically charged phone tapping case, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Thursday issued notices to BRS chief and former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR). Officials said KCR will be questioned at his residence, citing his age, as the probe moves into its final phase. The SIT is expected to file its charge sheet by the end of this month.
The move has intensified political debate over the Revanth Reddy government’s next steps, with speculation rife over possible arrests. Investigators recently questioned senior BRS leaders K.T. Rama Rao, Harish Rao, and Santosh Rao, besides a media channel head. Statements were also recorded from Union Minister Bandi Sanjay, Malkajgiri MP Etala Rajender, and PCC chief Mahesh Kumar Goud.
According to SIT sources, key accused officials, including Radhakishan Rao—who served in the Special Branch Task Force during the BRS regime—have told investigators that phone tapping was carried out on the directions of “Peddayana,” a reference widely understood to be KCR. Based on these statements, notices were issued to the former Chief Minister.
Police officials said accused officers Prabhakar Rao, Radhakishan Rao, Praneeth Rao, Bhujanga Rao, and Tirupathanna have admitted to conducting phone surveillance. The SIT maintains that questioning of political leaders is being carried out based on these confessions and reiterated that a charge sheet will be filed shortly.
Meanwhile, BRS leaders dismissed speculation of arrests, asserting that any detention of party leaders would only generate public sympathy. The party maintains that phone tapping could not have taken place without authorisation from senior bureaucrats, including the then DGP and Home Secretary, and has alleged a “selective investigation” targeting political figures while sparing key officials.
Party sources said KCR is likely to argue during questioning that former Chief Secretary Shanti Kumari, former DGP Mahender Reddy, and former Home Secretary Ravi Gupta should also be examined, claiming operational decisions originated within the administrative hierarchy.
With the SIT preparing to submit its charge sheet, the case continues to dominate Telangana’s political landscape.