Accusations have emerged about phone tapping during the previous government in Telangana, sparking a heated debate. The Congress government has called for a thorough investigation, while the BJP has made claims about phone tapping during the 2019 LS elections. E. Dayakar Rao, a leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and former minister, has denied allegations that he and a police official illegally detained a businessman and extorted Rs 50 lakh. He also denied any involvement in the phone tapping case, which has led to the arrest of three police officials.
What is phone tapping case?
The controversy revolves around allegations of widespread phone tapping of political leaders, including Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, during the previous BRS administration under K Chandrashekar Rao. The scandal came to light after the arrest of Praneeth Rao, a suspended DSP of the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB), on March 13. He was allegedly involved in unauthorized profiling of individuals, illegal phone tapping, and destruction of computer systems and official data. Following his arrest, the Telangana government suspended him from duty.
Origins of the Controversy
The controversy came to light following the arrest of suspended DSP Praneeth Rao, who was accused of engaging in illegal surveillance activities, including unauthorized phone tapping and destruction of official data. His arrest led to further scrutiny of the practices within the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) during the tenure of the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government.
Accusations and Allegations
Praneeth Rao’s arrest was prompted by a complaint filed by a senior police official, alleging criminal activities such as breach of trust, destruction of evidence, and conspiracy. It is claimed that the intelligence team not only intercepted over 1,00,000 phone calls but also extorted money from businessmen and erased evidence of their wrongdoing.
Targets of Surveillance
Among those allegedly targeted for surveillance were political leaders from various parties, including Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, and BRS leadership. Additionally, reports suggest that Telugu actors and businessmen were also monitored, with collected information potentially being used for blackmail purposes.
The Role of Saran Chowdary
Saran Chowdary, a BJP State Executive Member, filed a complaint regarding the phone tapping case. However, some individuals, including BRS leader Dayakar Rao, have questioned his credibility, citing allegations of misconduct against him.
Political Responses
In the midst of the controversy, there’s been a political showdown. Union Minister and BJP Telangana President G Kishan Reddy called for a judicial inquiry into the phone tapping allegations. He claimed that not only politicians but also officials and businessmen had their phones tapped by certain police officers acting like a “mafia”. He urged comprehensive action from the police to address the matter.
On the other hand, KT Rama Rao, the working president of the BRS party, accused Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of diverting attention from important issues. He claimed that selective information about phone tapping during the previous BRS government was being leaked to specific media channels.
Meanwhile, the Telangana Congress referred to news reports and demanded a clean administration. They urged strict warnings to all department officers to refrain from malpractices and corruption.
Significant Developments
In a notable development, retired DCP Radhakishan Rao was arrested in connection with the case. His arrest follows intensive interrogation and is based on statements provided by suspended DSP Praneeth Rao. This latest arrest adds to the growing list of police personnel implicated in the scandal.
What KTR Said?
BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao acknowledged the possibility of phone tapping during his party’s tenure in Telangana. However, he downplayed the issue, suggesting that the Congress government was exaggerating it.
He mentioned hearing reports of numerous phones being tapped, including allegations against KCR. Rama Rao admitted that perhaps one or two phones might have been tapped, but he quickly added that he wasn’t personally aware of the details.
Rama Rao suggested that if any phone tapping did occur, it might have targeted individuals involved in criminal activities. He emphasized that such actions fall within the realm of police duties. However, he criticized the portrayal of the issue as an international conspiracy or a major scandal.
His remarks, implying an acknowledgment of phone tapping during the BRS government led by his father K Chandrashekar Rao, were made at the Telangana Bhavan, the party headquarters. He was speaking at a meeting attended by party legislators, former ministers, BRS leaders, and members from the Malkajgiri Lok Sabha constituency.
Rama Rao criticized the Congress government and Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy for exaggerating the phone tapping issue. He claimed that it was merely a tactic to divert attention from the Congress’s failure to fulfill its election promises. He pointed out that promises such as a monthly pension of Rs 4000 for the elderly, Rs 2,500 per month for women, and a loan waiver of Rs 2 lakh for farmers were not implemented. According to Rama Rao, the phone tapping case is being used as a distraction from these unfulfilled promises.
What Revanth Reddy Said?
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy issued a warning to BRS leader K.T. Rama Rao, condemning his admission regarding the alleged phone tapping during the BRS government’s tenure. Revanth Reddy criticized Rama Rao for openly acknowledging their government’s involvement in tapping the phones of certain individuals, labeling it as a shameless act. He emphasized that Rama Rao would face consequences for his statement.
Revanth Reddy highlighted that investigations were ongoing, and those found guilty of phone tapping would be sent to Cherlapally jail. He questioned why Rama Rao would want to listen to private conversations, such as those between spouses, suggesting it was an invasion of privacy.
The phone tapping case in Telangana has raised serious concerns about privacy violations and misuse of power. As investigations continue, it remains imperative to ensure transparency and accountability in addressing the allegations. The outcome of this case will likely have far-reaching implications for the state’s political landscape and law enforcement agencies.
