SC grants interim relief to ex-Telangana intelligence chief in phone-tapping case

THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK

New Delhi, May 29: The Supreme Court today granted interim protection from coercive action to former Telangana Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) chief T Prabhakar Rao, a key accused in the phone-tapping scandal, shielding him from immediate action.

A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma directed that Rao be allowed access to his passport and instructed him to present himself before the investigating officer.

Rao, currently believed to be in the United States, has been at the center of a major controversy involving the alleged misuse of intelligence infrastructure for political surveillance during the previous BRS administration. A Red Corner Notice had earlier been issued against him, and his passport had been revoked.

The apex court further directed Rao to submit a written undertaking, committing to return to India within three days of receiving his passport. The matter is scheduled to be heard again on August 5.

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Phone-Tapping Case Linked to BRS-Era Surveillance Allegations

Rao had moved the Supreme Court after the Telangana High Court rejected his plea for anticipatory bail. His petition was met with strong opposition from Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and senior advocate Sidharth Luthra during Thursday’s hearing.

Meanwhile, a Hyderabad court had issued a proclamation notice against Rao on May 22, warning that he could be declared a proclaimed offender if he fails to appear by June 20. Such a designation could allow the court to initiate the attachment of his properties.

Since March 2024, four police officials including a suspended DSP from SIB have been arrested in connection with the same case. They were accused of illegally erasing sensitive intelligence data from electronic devices and conducting unauthorized surveillance on citizens. All four were later granted bail.

According to the police, the accused, including Rao, allegedly created unauthorised surveillance profiles and used SIB resources to monitor individuals in a politically motivated operation. They are also accused of conspiring to destroy records to eliminate evidence of their involvement.