HYDERABAD: In a major development in the Telangana phone tapping case that has stirred the state’s political landscape, accused number six Shravan Rao appeared before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Saturday. He presented himself at the Jubilee Hills Police Station as per the SIT’s summons.
Shravan Rao had left the country after the phone tapping case was registered at Panjagutta Police Station on 10 March last year. He initially travelled to London and then to the United States, avoiding the SIT investigation. Recently, he approached the Supreme Court, which granted him interim protection from arrest while directing him to cooperate with the investigation.
Following this, SIT issued fresh notices on March 26, asking Shravan Rao to appear at their office on March 29. In response, he appeared for questioning today. It is worth noting that a Red Corner Notice had earlier been issued to bring him back to India.
Shravan Rao, who is reportedly the head of a media organisation, is suspected by the police of using the Special Intelligence Branch to surveil various individuals.
Investigating officials allege that Intelligence Department ex-chief Prabhakar Rao and another key accused, Praneeth Rao, acted on Shravan Rao’s instructions.
According to SIT, during the 2023 Assembly elections, Shravan Rao directed surveillance on Congress candidates and businesspersons financially supporting them to benefit the BRS. However, the investigation stalled as both Prabhakar Rao and Shravan Rao were unavailable for questioning.
With Shravan Rao appearing before SIT for the first time, officials are expected to record his statement today. The further direction of the investigation is likely to be shaped by the content of this statement. Authorities believe this could be a turning point in the case, depending on the revelations made by Shravan Rao.
