Former Telangana Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) chief T. Prabhakar Rao, the main suspect in a phone tapping case, was released by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) after being questioned for two weeks following a Supreme Court order. The SIT is set to submit a report on Rao’s interrogation to the Supreme Court on January 16. It remains uncertain if the SIT will request further custody of the accused.
The SIT reportedly probed why Rao was appointed as SIB chief by the then Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government post his retirement. Investigators suspect ulterior motives behind this decision. Rao was also questioned about his frequent meetings with former minister Harish Rao, where he claimed the discussions were focused on Maoist threats. Statements from various officials, including the former Director General of Police and intelligence chiefs, have been recorded by the SIT.
Prabhakar Rao surrendered on December 12 following a Supreme Court directive for a week of custodial interrogation. The SIT sought an extension of custody due to alleged lack of cooperation from Rao. A new SIT, formed by the Telangana government, questioned Rao and other accused individuals. Discussions are underway regarding potential questioning of former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and other ministers by the SIT.
