Telangana Phone Tapping Scandal: Prime accused ex-IB chief T Prabhakar Rao flees to America

Former Telangana Intelligence Bureau chief T Prabhakhar Rao. (File photo)

Former Telangana Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief T Prabhakhar Rao has reportedly emerged as the primary figure, named as accused No. 1, in the recent phone-tapping controversy that has stirred the state in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections. The scandal revolves around the alleged unauthorised collection of electronic data through illicit phone surveillance on opposition leaders during the previous BRS government led by K Chandrashekar Rao. Currently believed to be residing in the US, Rao faces scrutiny from authorities who have issued a lookout notice against him.

Authorities Conduct Searches at Rao's House

Several reports suggest that as part of the investigation, authorities conducted searches at Rao's house in Hyderabad and nearly a dozen other locations, including the home of Shravan Rao, the proprietor of the Telugu TV channel I News.

Involvement of Shravan Rao and Radha Kishan Rao

According to a report on the NDTV website, Shravan Rao, who is also believed to be abroad, is alleged to have facilitated the installation of phone-tapping equipment, acquired from Israel, and servers at a local school premises. Additionally, Radha Kishan Rao, a former member of the city task force, has been implicated as an accused, leading authorities to issue a lookout notice for him as well. The probe into the phone-tapping scandal has broadened to include scrutiny of several other Telangana police officers.

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Moneycontrol could not verify the report independently.

Cops Arrest 2 ASPs

Furthermore, Hyderabad police arrested two additional superintendents of police in connection with the case, citing their involvement in the destruction of specific computer systems and official data. The officials in question, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Thirupathanna and Additional Superintendent of Police N Bhujanga Rao, had previously served as additional superintendents of police in the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) and Intelligence Department, respectively. Following their arrest on March 24, they were remanded to judicial custody till April 6.

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ASPs Accused of Collusion with Suspended SIB DSP

The Telangana phone tapping case revolves around allegations of illicit surveillance and unauthorised gathering of electronic data by certain individuals within the state intelligence apparatus. According to Telangana police, two arrested ASPs are accused of colluding with suspended SIB Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) D Praneeth Rao. Rao had been earlier arrested for allegedly erasing intelligence information from electronic devices and engaging in phone tapping during the tenure of the previous BRS government.

A statement from Hyderabad police mentions that the two arrested police officials confessed to participating in a conspiracy to unlawfully monitor private individuals, abuse their official positions to develop profiles, and destroy public property to conceal proof of their collusion with D Praneeth Kumar alias Praneeth Rao and others involved in the case.

High-Profile Figures Reportedly Under Surveillance

Reports indicate that the list of individuals whose devices were allegedly under surveillance includes Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, along with members of both the BJP and Congress parties, as well as figures associated with the former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao's BRS administration. Additionally, there are suggestions that Telugu actors and businessmen were also subjected to monitoring, with indications pointing towards instances of alleged blackmail targeting many among them.

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The sequence of events began with the arrest of Praneeth Rao on March 13, following a complaint lodged by an additional superintendent of police of the SIB on March 10.

Praneeth's Career Trajectory

Praneeth held the position of DSP during the BRS regime and later served in the office of the Director General of Police (DGP). He faced suspension from the Telangana government after allegations surfaced of unauthorized phone surveillance targeting leaders of the then-opposition party.

Praneeth is alleged to have monitored individuals and extorted money from 36 businessmen under Prabhakar's directives. Furthermore, acting on Prabhakar's orders, Praneeth reportedly destroyed evidence a day after the Congress defeated the BRS in the 2023 state election. He purportedly confessed to the police that he disposed of 17 hard disks by throwing them into River Musi and burned all paper documents in two logger rooms as part of the cover-up.

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30 Police Officers Under Investigation

As the case unfolds, it is expected that at least 30 police officers will undergo investigation. Speculation is rife that a leader from the BRS could also be implicated, potentially bringing scrutiny to the former chief minister's party just days before the general election.

In June 2020, Prabhakar Rao retired after 29 years of service. Later, in November last year, the BRS government appointed him as OSD, Intelligence (SIB).