Last Updated: March 25, 2024, 22:07 IST
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T Prabhakar Rao, alleged to have overseen the unlawful tapping of telephones belonging to opposition leaders through the earlier BRS govt led by Okay Chandrashekar Rao, is at the moment reported to be in the US
The former chief of Telangana’s Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) T Prabhakar Rao has been recognized because the prime accused in a phone-tapping scandal that has stirred the state forward of the upcoming common election. Allegations recommend he didn’t “draw the line” when executing orders from the ruling celebration.
Rao, alleged to have overseen the unlawful tapping of telephones belonging to opposition leaders through the earlier BRS authorities led by Okay Chandrashekar Rao, is at the moment reported to be in the United States, NDTV reported.
Authorities have issued a look-out discover for him and performed searches at numerous places, together with his dwelling in Hyderabad and the residence of Shravan Rao, operator of the Telugu TV channel I News.
Shravan Rao, believed to be overseas, is accused of aiding in the set up of phone-tapping tools (from Israel) and servers at an area faculty.
Another police officer, Radha Kishan Rao, previously serving in town process drive, has additionally been implicated, with authorities issuing a look-out discover for him. Several different Telangana cops are additionally underneath scrutiny in reference to the case.
Allegations in opposition to Prabhakar Rao have been reiterated by suspended Deputy Superintendent of Police D Praneeth Rao and Additional Superintendents of Police N Bhujanga Rao and M Thirupatanna, who have been arrested just lately.
The police revealed that Bhujanga Rao and Thirupathanna admitted to illegally monitoring non-public people and destroying proof.
While Praneeth Rao, arrested earlier this month, faces costs of unauthorised profiling of people and monitoring their actions, in addition to destruction of laptop methods and knowledge on digital units.
The destruction of proof was reportedly ordered by Prabhakar Rao, allegedly following the Congress’s victory over the BRS in the 2023 election.
The listing of people reportedly subjected to surveillance consists of Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, members of the BJP and Congress, and associates of former Chief Minister Okay Chandrashekar Rao’s BRS. Allegations of surveillance on Telugu actors and businessmen have additionally surfaced, with stories of blackmail.
At least 30 cops are anticipated to be investigated because the case unfolds, with rumors circulating {that a} BRS chief is also implicated, probably casting scrutiny on the previous Chief Minister’s celebration simply days earlier than the overall election.
Prabhakar Rao retired in June 2020 after 29 years of service, and in November final yr, the BRS authorities had appointed him as OSD, Intelligence (SIB).
