Article Today, Hyderabad:
Former SIB Chief Prabhakar Rao to Appear Before SIT on June 9th,2025:
In a major development related to the sensational phone tapping case in Telangana, former Special Intelligence Branch (SIB) chief and key accused, retired IPS officer Prabhakar Rao, is set to arrive in Hyderabad tomorrow night. After his passport was cancelled, Rao approached the Supreme Court for an emergency transit warrant, which was granted. He is expected to travel back to India on Saturday and land in Hyderabad by midnight on June 8th , 2025. As per Supreme Court directions, Prabhakar Rao will appear before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for questioning on June 9th ,2025.
Allegations of Illegal Surveillance Under BRS Regime
The phone tapping controversy came to light shortly after the Congress government assumed power in Telangana in late 2023. It was alleged that during the previous BRS government’s tenure, phones of opposition leaders and even dissenting voices within the ruling party were illegally tapped. The entire operation was reportedly carried out in secrecy by a select group of police officials within the Intelligence Wing.
Congress Government Orders SIT Probe
After taking charge, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy held a high-level review meeting with senior police officers. During that meeting, details of the unauthorized phone tapping surfaced. The Congress government immediately constituted a SIT to probe the matter. The SIT began its investigation by questioning several senior police officers, some of whom pointed towards Prabhakar Rao’s central role in the surveillance operation.
Prabhakar Rao Left the Country Before Investigation Began
Before the SIT could take him into custody for questioning, Prabhakar Rao had already left India and was residing in the United States. Despite the government’s attempts to bring him back, progress was slow due to legal and diplomatic hurdles. With his name repeatedly coming up during the SIT investigation, his return became critical for further progress in the case.
Supreme Court Intervenes, Allows Return With Protections
Fearing arrest upon return, Prabhakar Rao approached the Supreme Court, claiming that he was being unfairly targeted due to political rivalry—particularly by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, who was in the opposition at the time the allegations were first made. The court, while acknowledging his concerns, directed that he must cooperate with the ongoing SIT investigation. As his passport had already been cancelled, the court ordered issuance of a special transit visa, under the condition that he must present himself to SIT within three days of arrival.
High Stakes Investigation Set to Intensify
With Prabhakar Rao now returning to India under court supervision, all eyes are on his upcoming interrogation by the SIT. His testimony is expected to shed light on how deep the phone tapping network went, who authorized it, and how it was executed. The Telangana government is under pressure to ensure transparency and accountability, as the case has wide political and legal implications.
