HYDERABAD: In a significant development in the high-profile phone tapping case that rocked Telangana, the passport of former Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) chief Prabhakar Rao has been officially cancelled. Hyderabad Police received confirmation of the cancellation from the Passport Authority of India following the issuance of a Red Corner Notice against him.
Authorities revealed that Prabhakar Rao, the prime accused in the case, had applied for a US Green Card to settle in America. However, the move was unsuccessful due to prior announcements by Indian authorities about seizing his passport. With the latest cancellation, his Green Card application has reportedly been rejected.
The Telangana Police, in coordination with the Central Government and the US Consulate, have intensified efforts to bring him back to India. Officials disclosed that arrangements are underway to extradite him using Interpol assistance, as Prabhakar Rao has remained in the United States since the registration of the case.
Police from Jubilee Hills and Banjara Hills stations have been conducting an extensive investigation into the phone tapping case. Another key figure, Sravan Rao, has already been questioned three times. Prabhakar Rao, however, has failed to respond to multiple summonses issued in the past and has avoided cooperating with the investigation.
Due to his continued evasion, the Telangana CID sent a formal request to the CBI, which then relayed the information to Interpol. This led to the issuance of a Red Corner Notice. Following that, the Passport Authority declared the seizure of Prabhakar Rao’s passport. As he refused to voluntarily surrender it, the government moved to cancel the passport altogether.
With no valid travel document and his Green Card rejected, Prabhakar Rao now faces severe restrictions on international travel. Telangana Police believe that his interrogation is crucial for uncovering the full scope of the phone tapping operation. Efforts are ongoing to ensure his extradition, with US authorities being urged to cooperate in handing him over to Interpol custody.
Officials stated that full-scale preparations have been made in Hyderabad to receive him once extradition proceedings are completed.
