The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has gathered crucial technical evidence related to the illegal phone tapping activities conducted by the Special Intelligence Branch (SIB). The SIT’s ongoing investigation is revealing more about this unlawful operation, shedding light on the methods and technology used.
Crucial Evidence from Convergence Innovation Labs
During a recent raid at the Convergence Innovation Labs office in Kondapur, Hyderabad, the SIT seized three servers, hard disks, and five mock mini devices. This laboratory provided the technology used for phone tapping to the SIB. To further their investigation, the SIT issued notices to the director of the lab, Busi Paul Ravikumar, to obtain access logs and search logs. The evidence collected has been pivotal, and testimonies from Ravikumar, senior manager Ragi Anantachari, and software engineer Oleti Sitarama Srinivas have provided significant insights. The seized equipment is now being analyzed at a forensic lab.
Telecom Companies Under Scrutiny
Typically, telecom companies only authorize phone tapping for monitoring anti-social elements and hardened criminals, requiring approval from the state’s Home Secretary. However, the SIT discovered that Prabhakar Rao’s team illegally tapped the phones of political opponents. To gather more technical evidence, the SIT issued 91 CrPC notices to the nodal officers of telecom companies and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). The DoT has also provided crucial information aiding the investigation.
Police Testimonies and Further Findings
In the lead-up to the legislative assembly elections, from August to the end of November last year, approximately 1200 cell phones were tapped. A CI involved in the investigation has confessed to tapping 60-70 phones under the orders of former SIB OSD Prabhakar Rao and key suspect Praneeth Rao. Conversations involving individuals like Chakradhar Goud, who opposed the ruling party, and retired inspector Dasari Bhoomiah, among others, were intercepted. Multiple police personnel who played vital roles at the field level within the SIB and task forces have also provided testimonies, tightening the noose around the accused.
Understanding the Telangana Phone Tapping Scandal Alleging Involvement of Former CM KCR
Overview of the Telangana Phone Tapping Scandal
In recent revelations from the Telangana phone tapping scandal, former Deputy Commissioner of Police P. Radhakishan Rao has implicated the previous Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) government led by K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) in using police resources to monitor phone conversations of opposition leaders. This scandal has stirred significant controversy, shedding light on alleged misuse of power for political advantage.
The Allegations and Confessions
Radhakishan Rao, arrested in connection with the case, disclosed that a specialized police team under his command intercepted calls of opposition figures. These interceptions purportedly influenced various actions, including suppressing dissent and managing civil disputes against the TRS government’s interests. The operations, as per Rao, were sanctioned to maintain control and quell opposition voices critical of KCR’s administration.
Operational Details and Implications
The operation reportedly extended from the lead-up to the 2018 state elections through subsequent parliamentary elections, indicating a prolonged surveillance effort under KCR’s governance. Rao highlighted that directives often came through Praneeth Kumar, an inspector within the Special Intelligence Bureau overseen by T. Prabhakar Rao, who remains a central figure yet to be questioned due to his absence abroad.
Political Ramifications and Legal Challenges
The scandal has sparked legal and political repercussions, with demands for accountability from various quarters. While senior BRS leaders dismiss the allegations as coerced statements, opposition figures and BJP MPs have called for further investigations implicating KCR and his associates directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main allegations in the Telangana phone tapping scandal?
The scandal alleges that the former Telangana CM KCR’s government used police resources to illegally monitor phone conversations of political opponents.
Who is involved in the scandal according to the confessions?
Former Deputy Commissioner of Police P. Radhakishan Rao has confessed to leading the operation, implicating KCR and senior police officials.
What are the legal implications of the scandal?
Legal challenges include the admissibility of statements made under duress and calls for further investigation into higher-level involvement.
Conclusion
The SIT’s investigation into the phone tapping scandal is uncovering extensive misuse of surveillance technology for illegal purposes. The evidence and testimonies collected so far indicate a well-coordinated operation that violated privacy and legal protocols. As the SIT continues to analyze the technical data and testimonies, more details about the extent of these activities and those involved are expected to emerge. This ongoing investigation underscores the importance of adhering to legal frameworks and the severe consequences of their breach.
