Breaking News: Two Senior Police Officials Apprehended in Telangana Phone-Tapping Scandal
In a recent development, Hyderabad Police have detained two additional superintendents of police in connection to the Telangana phone-tapping case. This arrest follows an extensive investigation into alleged phone tapping, destruction of computer systems, and official data tampering.
The apprehended officials, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Thirupathanna and Additional Superintendent of Police N Bhujanga Rao, had previous roles in the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) and Intelligence Department respectively. They were remanded in judicial custody after being taken into custody on Sunday.
Understanding the Telangana Phone-Tapping Case
The Telangana phone-tapping case revolves around accusations of widespread phone surveillance, notably targeting political figures, including Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, during the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) administration led by K Chandrashekar Rao.
The scandal came to light with the arrest of Praneeth Rao on March 13. Rao was alleged to be involved in unauthorized profiling, illegal phone tapping, and destruction of official data. Subsequently, the Telangana government suspended him from duty.
Accusations and Implications
The arrest of Praneeth Rao followed a complaint filed by a senior officer of the SIB, leading to charges of criminal breach of trust, evidence tampering, and conspiracy. Allegations suggest that the intelligence team extorted money from businessmen and obliterated evidence, including computers and documents.
Reports indicate that over 100,000 phone calls were unlawfully intercepted, implicating members of various political parties and public figures. The intelligence operation purportedly targeted fundraising activities of political leaders and monitored activities of Telugu actors and businessmen for potential blackmail.
Key Figures and Investigations
Several prominent figures, including former SIB chief T Prabhakar Rao, suspended DSP D Praneeth Rao, and former DCP P Radhakrishna, have been implicated in the scandal. A lookout circular has been issued against T Prabhakar, suspected of fleeing the country amidst investigations.
Recent Developments
The recent arrest of senior police officials, Thirupathanna and Bhujanga Rao, stems from allegations of collusion with suspended DSP D Praneeth Rao. During interrogation, the arrested officers admitted involvement in illegal monitoring and destruction of evidence.
Conclusion
The Telangana phone-tapping case underscores the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability within law enforcement agencies. These developments highlight the ongoing efforts to uncover and address systemic issues of corruption and abuse of power. Stay tuned for further updates as the investigation progresses.
