📷 Image Credits: NDTV
The Telangana phone tapping case has taken a new turn as Hyderabad police filed a chargesheet against several senior police officers, uncovering shocking revelations of over 1,200 phones being tapped. The accused, including top police officials, allegedly tried to destroy evidence by damaging storage devices, sparking a political storm in the region. The chargesheet named senior police officer T Prabhakar Rao, who is currently on the run, along with other high-ranking officials.
The case came to light after the Congress government led by A Revanth Reddy took charge last year, revealing that phones of high-profile individuals, including opposition leaders and celebrities, were tapped during the earlier regime of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi. Explosive revelations during questioning exposed hacking and monitoring of devices belonging to media personalities, politicians, and real estate businesspersons. Even the current Chief Minister, Revanth Reddy, was reportedly under surveillance. Congress leader N Uttam Kumar Reddy alleged that the snooping happened with the knowledge of the BRS leadership, hinting at broader implications.
With the filing of the chargesheet, Hyderabad police are now pursuing red corner notices for fugitives Prabhakar Rao and Sravan Kumar. The charges invoke various sections of the IPC, including disobedience by a public servant and violations related to evidence tampering, conspiracy, cyberterrorism, and the Information Technology Act. The investigation into the case revealed a sophisticated operation involving a team that reportedly spied on political rivals, intercepted money transfers, and tracked dissidents within the ruling party.
The case has also exposed murky details, such as allegations of blackmail and victimization of women by a constable involved in the phone tapping activities. The constable reportedly targeted around 40 women by eavesdropping on their conversations, raising questions about accountability and oversight in such operations. Several arrests have already been made, including that of an ex-Deputy Commissioner of Police, indicating the severity of the situation.
As the saga continues to unfold, the political fallout from the Telangana phone tapping case is likely to reverberate through the state’s corridors of power. The allegations of illegal surveillance, hacking, and evidence tampering have cast a shadow over the previous BRS government, drawing attention to the need for transparency and accountability in law enforcement activities. With the chargesheet filed and investigations ongoing, the Telangana phone tapping case remains a complex and evolving story that has captured the public’s attention.
