Hyderabad: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the phone tapping scandal has summoned senior Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader and former Telangana MP Joginapalli Santosh Rao for questioning.
The SIT has directed Santosh Rao to appear at 11 am on Tuesday at the office of Assistant Police Commissioner P. Venkatgiri.
A notice issued to the former Rajya Sabha member states that the investigating officer has come to know that Santosh Rao is familiar with the facts and circumstances related to the case, making his interrogation necessary.
Background of the Phone Tapping Allegations
This phone tapping controversy dates back to the previous BRS government’s tenure. Allegations include the unauthorized tapping of phones of political opponents, businessmen, journalists, and even some members connected to the judiciary.
Joginapalli Santosh Rao is the nephew of BRS President and former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR). He is the third senior leader close to KCR summoned by the SIT in the last week for questioning. Earlier, on January 23, the SIT interrogated KCR’s son and BRS executive president KT Rama Rao for over seven hours. On January 20, another nephew and former minister T. Harish Rao was also questioned.
Other Figures Questioned in the Investigation
The SIT has also questioned BRS MLC K. Naveen Rao, former MLA Jayapal Yadav, and C. Lingayya in connection with the case. Statements of several other key personalities have been recorded either as witnesses or victims, including Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar, BJP MP Etala Rajender, M. Raghunandan Rao, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president B. Mahesh Kumar Goud, and Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s brother Kodela Reddy.
The case came to light in March 2024, when a First Information Report (FIR) was registered at Panjagutta Police Station in Hyderabad.
Details of the Investigation and Accused
According to the investigation, during the BRS government, a special team was formed within the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) aimed at tapping selected individuals’ phones. Former SIB chief T. Prabhakar Rao has been named as the main accused. Others named include Police Superintendent D. Praneeth Rao, Additional SP Tirupathanna, N. Bhujanga Rao, former DCP Radha Kishan Rao, and a television channel owner, Shravan Kumar.
The SIT continues to advance the inquiry into this high-profile case involving political figures and alleged surveillance activities during the previous administration.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
Leave a Comment