Hyderabad city police commissioner Sajjanar said the SIT was actively investigating the phone-tapping case and collecting evidence
Hyderabad: The re-enforced Special Investigation Team (SIT) with nine senior police officers led by city police commissioner V.C. Sajjanar intensified the questioning of T. Prabhakar Rao, former SIB chief, in the phone tapping case, having secured his custody till December 26.
Sources said Rao was questioned for around nine hours at the SIT office in Jubilee Hills on Saturday. SIT officials were reviewing the files of the case registered with the Panjagutta police and subsequent developments. “Such an investigation and questioning has not been done in the case so far,” an official said.
Sources said Rao appeared to be shaken at the constitution of the SIT, a development he had not expected.
Sources said senior SIT officials Ambar Kishore Jha, S.M. Vijay Kumar, Rituraj, K. Narayan Reddy, M. Ravinder Reddy, K.S. Rao, Jubilee Hills ACP P. Venkatagiri, the investigating officer, Ch. Sridhar, and Nagender Rao split into two teams and questioned Prabhakar Rao.
They reportedly asked Rao who gave him the orders to tap phones of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, then the state Congress chief, his family members, politicians, judges, and film personalities. To repeated questioning, Rao is reported to have stated that he was following orders. “Phone-tapping is a routine practice. Every government does it,” he reportedly said, but did not disclose names.
The SIT officials told Rao that his SIB colleagues Bhuganja Rao, Tirupatanna, Radha Kishan Rao and Praneeth Kumar had given statements that they were acting on his directions and those of the “supremo”. “Who is the supremo,” the officials asked Rao. He did not respond.
In a statement, Sajjanar said the SIT was actively investigating the phone-tapping case and collecting evidence. “Details will be shared after the probe progresses further,” he said.
