Hyderabad: The Special Investigation Team’s ongoing phone tapping probe in Telangana has widened, with more leaders from across parties being summoned in connection with alleged illegal surveillance during the BRS government’s tenure.
Sources indicated that ahead of the 2023 Assembly elections, mobile communication surveillance was used as a political strategy. The surveillance allegedly targeted not only opposition figures but also ruling BRS leaders suspected of shifting loyalties.
Reports suggest that phone conversations were monitored to gather intelligence on political moves, alliances, and campaign planning. The former administration reportedly commissioned detailed activity logs of several leaders.
Retired officer Prabhakar Rao was assigned the role of SVT chief and is believed to have built an extensive network for this purpose. Surveillance was reportedly authorised to monitor both rivals and their close contacts.
Among those reportedly tapped was Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, a current minister who had distanced himself from BRS before joining the Congress. Phone conversations of his family members and aides were also intercepted, according to SIT sources.
On Wednesday, SIT officials called Ponguleti and informed him of the surveillance. He has been asked to appear for questioning.
Chevella MP Konda Vishweshwar Reddy also received a phone call from the SIT. He had left Congress in 2019 after the ticket went to Ranjith Reddy and later joined the BJP to contest again in 2024, this time successfully. His phone was reportedly tapped during both transitions.
The SIT served notice to him on Tuesday.
Union Minister and former BJP state chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar is also on the SIT’s list. He alleged that his padyatra route, Group-1 leak protests, and movements during the 10th class paper leak agitation were all monitored through illegal phone tapping. He has been asked to appear and record his statement.
Former Deputy Speaker Tatikonda Rajaiah was reportedly under watch during his attempts to secure a ticket from Station Ghanpur. After the ticket went to Kadiyam Srihari, speculation arose about Rajaiah joining Congress. Surveillance was reportedly carried out to monitor his political movements and phone conversations.
Another leader named in the probe is Padma Devender Reddy, who contested unsuccessfully from Medak. At that time, then Malkajgiri MLA Mynampally Hanumantha Rao and his son Rohith reportedly asked the BRS leadership for the Medak ticket.
After being denied, he switched to Congress. Surveillance was allegedly carried out on him and his son to track their movements and interactions.
The phone of APCC chief Y.S. Sharmila was also reportedly tapped. As the founder of the YSR Telangana Party, her increasing political activity in the state was closely watched. Intelligence reportedly aimed to track her schedule and restrict her movements by preemptive checks.
SIT officials are now playing back recorded conversations to those summoned and documenting their responses.
According to officials, as many as 618 individuals, including political leaders, journalists, and business figures, were tapped under the BRS government. Statements are being recorded as part of the investigation.
Many of those identified have already appeared before the SIT and submitted statements. Others are expected to follow soon.
