Phone Tapping Allegations Stir Political Tensions in Telangana

In the widening Telangana phone tapping case, former Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) chief T. Prabhakar Rao has emerged as the prime accused. The investigation, led by the Telangana SIT, has found that Rao allegedly orchestrated unauthorized surveillance operations during the previous BRS government. Several confidential communications and call data records (CDRs) of opposition leaders, businessmen, and bureaucrats were reportedly intercepted without legal sanction. His role is under intense scrutiny as the SIT builds a case of systemic abuse of intelligence machinery for political motives.

According to reports, Rao has been absconding since the case came to light, and efforts are underway to trace his whereabouts. The SIT has already arrested several key intelligence officials, including DSPs and additional superintendents, who have allegedly confessed to acting on Rao’s orders. The investigation revealed a pattern of illegal phone tapping that targeted BJP leaders, dissenting voices within BRS, and social media critics raising serious questions about privacy violations and misuse of state apparatus.

The political ramifications are significant, with the Congress-led government accusing the BRS regime of turning state intelligence into a tool for personal and political surveillance. CM Revanth Reddy has vowed strict action against all those involved, regardless of rank or affiliation. Meanwhile, the BJP and civil rights groups are demanding a deeper judicial probe, framing this as one of the biggest surveillance scandals in the state’s history