- KCR seeks SIT deferment citing municipal elections
- Phone tapping case probe focuses on BRS leadership
Former Telangana chief minister and Bharat Rashtra Samithi president K Chandrashekar Rao has requested a deferment from appearing before the special investigation team for questioning. The request relates to his scheduled appearance before the SIT on Friday at 3 pm. The SIT is probing the alleged phone tapping case that took place during the BRS regime.
KCR responded to the notice issued by the SIT and sought rescheduling of the enquiry. He cited the ongoing municipal election process as the reason for his inability to appear as scheduled. According to his reply, Friday marks the final day for filing nominations for 116 municipalities and seven municipal corporations across the state. Therefore, he said his presence was required to oversee party candidates and related paperwork.
KCR cites municipal polls in reply to SIT notice
The SIT served the notice to KCR on Thursday at his residence in Hyderabad’s Banjara Hills. The notice was issued under Section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. It identified the former chief minister as someone “acquainted with the facts and circumstances” of the case. Meanwhile, the SIT maintained its focus on gathering statements connected to the phone tapping allegations.
In his reply, KCR also referred to legal provisions linked to his age. As he is over 65 years old, the law allows questioning at his residence instead of a police station. Therefore, he suggested that the SIT reschedule the enquiry. He also offered to meet the investigators at his Erravelli farmhouse in Siddipet on a later date, provided prior notice is given.
SIT probe into phone tapping case continues
The phone tapping case relates to allegations that members of the Special Intelligence Bureau conducted unauthorised surveillance. The alleged targets included political rivals, judges, and businessmen during the previous BRS administration. Meanwhile, the SIT has already questioned several senior BRS leaders as part of the probe.
Those questioned include KT Rama Rao, T Harish Rao, and Joginipally Santosh Kumar. The investigation has also led to the arrest of several police officials. Later, courts granted bail to these officials. However, the SIT is now concentrating on what it describes as the “top-tier” leadership.
The current phase of the investigation aims to establish the chain of command behind the alleged snooping. Therefore, KCR’s request for deferment comes at a crucial stage of the probe. The SIT has yet to announce its response to the request. Meanwhile, the investigation continues as authorities seek to piece together the circumstances surrounding the alleged phone tapping during the BRS government’s tenure.
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