The Special Investigation Team (SIT) handling the phone-tapping case is expected to request an extension of the police custody for T. Prabhakar Rao, the former Telangana Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) chief and the main suspect. Prabhakar Rao’s current police custody is set to conclude on Thursday, with the Supreme Court scheduled to address the issue on Friday.
T. Prabhakar Rao, a former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, turned himself in to the investigating officer on December 12, following a Supreme Court directive for a week of custodial questioning. Authorities sought an extension of his custody beyond December 18, citing his lack of cooperation and refusal to disclose crucial details during the probe.
A newly formed nine-member SIT by the Telangana government interrogated Prabhakar Rao on December 18. The panel also questioned other suspects, including former Task Force DCP T. Radha Kishan Rao, Additional SP Mekala Thirupathanna, and television channel owner N. Sravan Kumar. Under the supervision of Hyderabad Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar, the fresh SIT is investigating alleged phone tapping during the previous BRS regime.
Ramagundam Police Commissioner Ambar Kishore Jha, Siddipet Commissioner of Police S. M. Vijay Kumar, and other officials are part of the SIT probing the case registered at Panjagutta Police Station in Hyderabad in March last year. The accused face charges under various sections of the IPC, PDPP Act, and IT Act for orchestrating illegal surveillance activities during the previous government’s tenure.
