Former BRS MP Santosh Kumar Interrogated in Phone Tapping Case

Former BRS MP Joginipally Santosh Kumar appeared before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Tuesday as part of an inquiry into a phone tapping case. The investigation, which has drawn significant public attention, is centered around allegations of illegal surveillance and misuse of government resources.

The SIT investigation officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) P. Venkatagiri, issued a notice to Kumar under Section 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). This notice required Kumar’s presence for questioning related to the ongoing inquiry. Sources within the SIT revealed that Kumar was believed to possess information pertinent to the investigation, prompting the need for his examination.

The investigation gained traction following the establishment of a new SIT, appointed on December 21, 2023, and led by Hyderabad police commissioner V.C. Sajjanar. This team has been tasked with interrogating key figures, including former SIB chief and the primary suspect, T. Prabhakar Rao.

The SIT has already conducted interviews with several high-profile politicians from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). Notably, K.T. Rama Rao, the BRS working president, was questioned on January 23, while senior party leader T. Harish Rao faced interrogation on January 20. The team has also scrutinized testimonies from senior bureaucrats associated with the BRS government.

On January 8, the SIT interrogated former BRS legislator G. Jaipal Yadav and former MLC K. Chirumurthi Lingiah for over two hours each, alongside former SIB ASP M. Tirupathanna. These sessions are part of a broader investigation that aims to uncover the extent of the alleged phone tapping activities.

The SIT’s technical team has retrieved call records that indicate frequent communication between Harish Rao and several accused individuals, including Prabhakar Rao, Radhakishan Rao, and G. Praneeth Rao. This evidence is critical as it may establish connections between the key players involved in the case.

The case was initiated after a complaint by G. Chakradhar Goud from Siddipet district, which was filed with the Panjagutta police. The allegations include criminal breach of trust, destruction of evidence, and providing false information to investigative authorities. Specific charges have been outlined under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

As the investigation continues, police officials have stated that further actions will depend on the outcomes of the ongoing inquiries. The implications of this case extend beyond individual accountability, touching on broader concerns regarding privacy and the use of surveillance technology in governance.