Hyderabad: The Telangana government is preparing to transfer the high-profile phone tapping case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), making it the third case in the state to face a central probe.
Kaleshwaram and Manthani cases already with CBI
Two major cases are already in the CBI’s hands. The government has referred the Kaleshwaram irrigation scam, and the Supreme Court ordered a CBI probe into the Manthani lawyer couple murder. The phone tapping case is now under similar consideration.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s administration is reviewing legal options. Senior officials are consulting legal experts and re-examining the Special Investigation Team’s (SIT) findings for further leads.
Illegal surveillance under BRS rule
The case stems from alleged unlawful surveillance by the Special Intelligence Branch (SIB) during the BRS regime. A covert unit named “Special Operation Targets” functioned under then SIB chief Prabhakar Rao. Former Additional SP Praneeth Rao headed the phone tapping unit.
According to the SIT, the team submitted fake data to TRAI and violated national security guidelines by intercepting calls without approval.
Over 600 phone numbers tapped in 15 days
The probe revealed widespread surveillance. The team allegedly tapped phones of IAS and IPS officers, Union ministers, state governors, and political leaders. Among the targets were Union Minister Bandi Sanjay, his personal assistant, and BJP staff.
Investigators recorded statements from Sanjay and BJP office bearers. The SIT also flagged procedural violations in appointing Prabhakar Rao as the legal authority for interception. Central norms permit surveillance for only seven days without review, but the SIB unit bypassed this rule.
In just 15 days, around 618 phone numbers were tapped. Given the scale and sensitivity, the state government believes a CBI investigation is necessary to fully expose the extent of the operation.
