Hyderabad: BRS leader RS Praveen Kumar on Tuesday accused Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of orchestrating a widespread phone tapping operation targeting Opposition leaders, cabinet colleagues, journalists, and even members of the Congress party.
He alleged that phones of key BRS figures and even some ministers in the State cabinet were being tapped under the direct supervision of CM Revanth Reddy and the Home Minister. Citing a report by South First magazine, Praveen said the CM had become aware of a private conversation between two ministers, leading to one being reprimanded based on that call.
Praveen Kumar claimed that the Central BJP leadership was supporting Revanth in the surveillance efforts. He also pointed to the leak of a phone call between himself and BRS leader Harish Rao, which he said Revanth had questioned a journalist about further implying state-sponsored tapping.
He said he received an official notice in the case on July 14, but noted that the Andhra Jyoti daily reported it a week earlier, raising concerns about leaked investigation details.
Praveen further alleged that even phones of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and AICC members might be under surveillance, and urged the Chief Minister to submit a sealed list of tapped individuals to the High Court if he believed in transparency.
He demanded an independent monitoring committee under the Telegraph Act, comprising the Chief Minister, Leader of the Opposition, a High Court judge, and senior officials, to oversee all surveillance orders. Citing Section 5 of the Act, he reminded that phone tapping is only permissible in matters concerning national security.
