Telangana Phone Tapping Case: SIT Summons Former CM K. Chandrasekhar Rao, Sparks Political Storm

Hyderabad, Jan 2026 : In a major development in the high-profile phone tapping case in Telangana, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has issued a notice to Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) President and former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, directing him to appear for questioning on Friday, January 30, at 3 p.m. The move has intensified political tensions in the state, drawing sharp reactions from the BRS leadership.

The notice was served at KCR’s residence in Nandinagar, Banjara Hills, on Thursday by SIT officials. Taking into account the former chief minister’s age, Investigation Officer P. Venkatagiri informed him that he could voluntarily appear before the SIT at the Jubilee Hills Police Station or suggest any other location within Hyderabad city that would be convenient for his examination.

Issued under Section 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the notice states that during the course of investigation it has emerged that KCR is acquainted with facts and circumstances relevant to the case, making his examination necessary for further progress in the probe.

The case pertains to allegations that phones of several political opponents, businessmen, journalists, and even members of the judiciary were illegally tapped during the previous BRS government’s tenure. The issue first surfaced in March 2024, triggering widespread political controversy and public debate over misuse of state machinery.

Following the emergence of the allegations, an FIR was registered at Panjagutta Police Station in Hyderabad under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act, and the Information Technology Act. Investigators allege that a special team was constituted within the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) during the BRS regime to conduct unauthorized surveillance on numerous individuals.

Former SIB chief Prabhakar Rao has been named as the prime accused in the case. Other accused include Deputy Superintendent of Police D. Praneeth Rao, Additional SPs Thirupathanna and N. Bhujanga Rao, former Deputy Commissioner of Police Radha Kishan Rao, and a television channel owner, Sravan Kumar.

The notice to KCR comes shortly after the SIT questioned several senior BRS leaders and individuals closely associated with him. Former MP Joginipally Santosh Rao, a nephew of KCR, was questioned for over seven hours earlier this week. KCR’s son and BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao was interrogated by the SIT for more than seven hours on January 23, while another nephew, former minister T. Harish Rao, was grilled for a similar duration on January 20.

The SIT has also examined BRS MLC K. Naveen Rao and former MLAs Jaipal Yadav and C. Lingaiah. In addition, several political leaders and individuals were questioned as witnesses and alleged victims, including Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay, BJP MPs Eatala Rajender and M. Raghunandan Rao, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President B. Mahesh Kumar Goud, and Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s brother Kondal Reddy.

Reacting strongly to the notice issued to his father, BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao condemned the SIT’s action, terming it a “clear example of the most heinous politics of vendetta.” Taking to social media platform ‘X’, Rama Rao alleged that the Congress-led Telangana government was attempting to divert public attention from its administrative failures by targeting KCR.

“This is not an investigation. This is revenge. This is not justice. This is political malice,” Rama Rao wrote, accusing the state government of indulging in vendetta politics. He described KCR as a great leader who dedicated his life to the Telangana statehood movement, risking his life and ultimately achieving the long-cherished goal of a separate state.

Rama Rao further said that during KCR’s ten-year rule, Telangana emerged as a model state and gained recognition on the national and global stage. He credited his father with implementing transformative welfare and development schemes such as the irrigation revolution, Mission Bhagiratha, Mission Kakatiya, Rythu Bandhu, Rythu Bima, and Dalit Bandhu, which, he said, benefited all sections of society.

“Such a leader is now being targeted by an incompetent Congress government that came to power on the foundation of false promises and reckless assurances,” Rama Rao alleged, adding that within a year of assuming office, the government had betrayed public trust and failed to deliver on its commitments.

Asserting that KCR resides in the hearts of the people of Telangana, Rama Rao warned that history cannot be erased through notices and threats. “If you insult the Telangana movement and the self-respect of Telangana, the people themselves will give a fitting reply,” he said, adding that the BRS would continue to fight what it termed an unjust rule as the voice of the people.

The SIT, meanwhile, has maintained that the investigation is proceeding strictly in accordance with law, with KCR’s examination seen as part of its effort to uncover the full truth behind the alleged phone tapping scandal that has shaken Telangana politics.