Telangana phone tapping case: SIT makes KCR read Indian Telegraph Act during 5-hour grilling

Security was significantly tightened around KCR's Banjara Hills residence throughout the day, with a heavy deployment of police personnel

• KCR questioned for five hours by SIT over alleged phone tapping case
• SIT asked KCR about Indian Telegraph Act and phone interception rules
• Security was tightened at KCR's residence during the interrogation

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Telangana's former chief minister and BRS president K Chandrasekar Rao was questioned for nearly five hours on Sunday by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged phone tapping and illegal surveillance case, a Times of India report said on Monday.

During the interrogation, KCR was reportedly asked to read specific provisions of the Indian Telegraph Act after he claimed he was unaware of its legal framework. Sources cited by Times of India said the former chief minister told investigators he had no knowledge of individuals' phone lines being monitored during his tenure. Following this, the SIT questioned him on the circumstances under which telephone interceptions are permitted and the rules governing the destruction of material generated through phone tapping.

As reported by Times of India, the SIT team-headed by S M Vijay Kumar, Joint Commissioner of Police (Special Branch)-also sought KCR's explanation on why the BRS government continued T Prabhakar Rao as the chief of the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) even after his retirement. Prabhakar Rao was named the prime accused in the case by Hyderabad police in 2024 after the Congress came to power.

Security was significantly tightened around KCR's Banjara Hills residence throughout the day, with a heavy deployment of police personnel, Times of India noted. Several senior BRS leaders, including party working president K T Rama Rao and former minister Harish Rao, remained inside the residence during the questioning.

While KCR was initially issued a notice to appear before the SIT on January 29, the questioning was rescheduled to February 1 after he sought additional time, Times of India reported. His request to be examined at his Erravalli farmhouse, however, was rejected. The SIT reached his residence around 2.45 pm with extensive case-related documents, and the interrogation commenced at about 3 pm. Later, the SIT released a statement confirming that the questioning had concluded.

Amid threats of protests by BRS workers over the notice served to KCR, authorities intensified security arrangements across Telangana, the Times of India added.