Telangana Phone Tapping Case: SIT Questions Former CM KCR for Five Hours; Hyderabad Police Commissioner Shares Update

Hyderabad:
Former Telangana Chief Minister and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) president K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) was questioned for nearly five hours on Sunday by the Telangana Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with the alleged illegal phone tapping case during the previous BRS government’s tenure.

The questioning took place at KCR’s residence in Nandinagar, Hyderabad, under tight security arrangements. A team of SIT officers examined the former chief minister regarding allegations that large-scale, unauthorised phone surveillance was carried out when he was in office.

Late on Sunday night, Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar confirmed on social media platform X that the questioning had been completed.

Heavy Security at KCR’s Residence

Extensive security arrangements were made around KCR’s residence, with a large police deployment and barricading of nearby roads to prevent any law-and-order issues. KCR had earlier travelled from his farmhouse in Erravalli, located about 70 km from Hyderabad, to appear before the SIT.

The former chief minister had informed the SIT that he would cooperate with the probe and appear for questioning on February 1. However, he had also accused the investigating officer of violating legal procedures while issuing the notice.

Political Reactions and Protests

Meanwhile, BRS workers staged protests across Telangana, alleging political vendetta by the ruling Congress government. The BRS leadership claimed that the investigation was being used to target opposition leaders.

Responding to the developments, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said the Congress government would not indulge in retaliatory politics. “Our government’s core objective is to provide democratic and transparent governance,” he stated.

Allegations Linked to BRS Regime

The case pertains to allegations that during the BRS government’s tenure, phones of political leaders, businessmen, journalists, members of the judiciary, and other prominent individuals were tapped illegally and without authorisation.

The SIT had earlier rejected KCR’s request to be questioned at his Erravalli farmhouse and instead directed him to appear at his Hyderabad residence on February 1. In recent weeks, KCR has been engaged in legal arguments with investigators over the date and venue of the questioning.

Currently, the BRS is being led in Telangana by KCR’s son K.T. Rama Rao (KTR), while his daughter K. Kavitha has exited the BRS.