KCR, former Telangana CM, is summoned for questioning in phone tapping case

Step marks escalation in probe started by Congress government, which accuses the BRS administration of snooping on its rivals when it was in power

The notice marks the first formal summons to KCR in the case, which has already seen questioning of senior BRS leaders and officials.The SIT investigating alleged illegal phone surveillance during the BRS government has summoned former Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao to record his statement. (File Photo)

The Special Investigation Team probing the alleged tapping of phones when the Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) government was in power in Telangana has issued a notice to party supremo and former chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao to appear and record his statement in the case.

SIT officials visited KCR’s residence at Nandi Nagar in Banjara Hills to serve the notice under CrPC 160. This is the first time KCR has been summoned by the SIT, which has already recorded statements of his son K T Rama Rao and nephews T Harish Rao and Joginipally Santosh Kumar.

The current Congress government has accused the BRS administration of snooping on rivals and conspiring to ensure a BRS victory for the third time in Telangana. According to the SIT probing the case, some officers of the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) had formed a coterie and mounted illegal surveillance of political rivals to serve the then BRS government and some of its top leaders.

The notice issued to KCR, signed by P Venkatagiri, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Jubilee Hills Division, states that during the course of investigation, it has been revealed that the former CM is acquainted with facts and circumstances relevant to the case. “Your examination is therefore necessary and required for the purpose of further investigation,” it states.

The SIT has asked KCR to record his statement on January 30 at 3 pm. As he is above 65 years, KCR is not required to go to the police station, and his statement can be taken at home. “If you desire so, you may voluntarily appear before the undersigned at the Jubilee Hills Police Station or, alternatively, you may specify any other place within Hyderabad city convenient for examination, and the undersigned, along with the investigation team, shall attend the said place accordingly on the above-mentioned date and time,’’ the notice states.

Last June, KCR deposed for 50 minutes before a judicial commission of inquiry headed by former Supreme Court judge, Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose, which was constituted by the state government to “enquire into the negligence, irregularities and lacunae in planning, designing and construction” of the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla Barrages of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project.

Sreenivas Janyala is a Deputy Associate Editor at The Indian Express, where he serves as one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political and economic landscape of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. With a career spanning over two decades in mainstream journalism, he provides deep-dive analysis and frontline reporting on the intricate dynamics of South Indian governance. Expertise and Experience Regional Specialization: Based in Hyderabad, Sreenivas has spent more than 20 years documenting the evolution of the Telugu-speaking states. His reporting was foundational during the historic Telangana statehood movement and continues to track the post-bifurcation development of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive portfolio covers a vast spectrum of critical issues: High-Stakes Politics: Comprehensive tracking of regional powerhouses (BRS, TDP, YSRCP, and Congress), electoral shifts, and the political careers of figures like K. Chandrashekar Rao, Chandrababu Naidu, and Jagan Mohan Reddy. Internal Security & Conflict: Authoritative reporting on Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), the decline of the Maoist movement in former hotbeds, and intelligence-led investigations into regional security modules. Governance & Infrastructure: Detailed analysis of massive irrigation projects (like Kaleshwaram and Polavaram), capital city developments (Amaravati), and the implementation of state welfare schemes. Crisis & Health Reporting: Led the publication's ground-level coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic in South India and major industrial incidents, such as the Vizag gas leak. Analytical Depth: Beyond daily news, Sreenivas is known for his "Explained" pieces that demystify complex regional disputes, such as river water sharing and judicial allocations between the sister states. ... Read More

Nikhila Henry is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Hyderabad. With a career spanning 17 years, she has established herself as an authoritative voice on South Indian affairs, specialising in the complex intersections of politics, education, and social justice. Experience & Career: Nikhila commenced her journalism career in 2007 as an education correspondent for The Times of India in Hyderabad,where she gained recognition for her coverage of student politics. Her professional trajectory includes a four-year tenure at The Hindu, where she focused on minority affairs and social welfare. In 2019, she took on a leadership role as the South Bureau Chief for The Quint, where she directed regional coverage across all five South Indian states. Her expansive career also includes a tenure at the BBC in New Delhi and contributions to prestigious international outlets such as The Sunday Times (London) and HuffPost India. Expertise & Focus Areas Nikhila’s reportage is marked by a deep-seated understanding of grassroots movements and institutional policy. Her core focus areas include: Regional Politics: Comprehensive analysis of the socio-political dynamics across South India. Education & Student Movements: Chronicling the evolution of Indian academics and the rise of youth activism. Minority Affairs: Rigorous reporting on the welfare, rights, and challenges facing marginalized communities. National Beat: Elevating regional stories to national prominence through investigative and on-ground reporting. Authoritativeness & Trust A respected figure in Indian media, Nikhila is not only a seasoned reporter but also an accomplished author and editor. She authored the critically acclaimed book The Ferment: Youth Unrest in India and edited Caste is Not a Rumour, a collection of writings by Rohith Vemula. Her dual background in daily news reporting and long-form authorship allows her to provide readers with a nuanced, historically-informed perspective on contemporary Indian society. Find all stories by Nikhila Henry here. ... Read More

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