Adversitement
Investigation into Alleged Phone Tapping Tightens Noose around Former SIB Chief T Prabhakar Rao
Published On : 2024-03-14T09:17:46+0530 [ IST ] |
Author : Mayur_Tembhare
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Telangana / Hyderabad :
The ongoing investigation into alleged phone tapping and data erasure, involving suspended Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) G Praneeth Rao, is now intensifying its focus on former SIB chief T Prabhakar Rao, a retired IPS officer with close ties to the former chief minister during the BRS party's tenure. Prabhakar Rao's alleged involvement in instructing the destruction of sensitive data, including recordings of opposition leaders and key officials, has come under scrutiny as investigators aim to unravel the extent of his role in the controversy.
According to reports, Praneeth Rao, along with others, allegedly employed sophisticated tracking tools typically used in counter-terrorism operations to monitor the telephonic communications of opposition parties and other individuals. It is alleged that Praneeth Rao maintained records of phone tapping involving lakhs of numbers, including those associated with Congress party leaders, TNGO association leaders, journalists, and government officials holding influential positions. The investigators have obtained information suggesting that Praneeth Rao was responsible for the destruction of recorded data pertaining to at least 10 lakh individual numbers, reportedly under instructions from Prabhakar Rao.
The timeline of events suggests a concerted effort to erase incriminating evidence prior to significant political developments. Just hours before T Prabhakar Rao tendered his resignation as SIB chief following the BRS party's electoral defeat, Praneeth Rao was allegedly directed to destroy data stored on hard disks and pen drives, including soft copies of reports based on intercepted conversations. These reports, prepared by Praneeth Rao and others, were purportedly submitted to the government for review. However, thousands of soft copy reports were reportedly deleted from hard disks shortly before the swearing-in ceremony of TPCC Chief A Revanth Reddy as Chief Minister.
In addition to Praneeth Rao's activities, investigators are also scrutinizing T Prabhakar Rao's role in the matter. Prabhakar Rao, who served in various capacities within the police department for nearly three decades, was appointed as chief of operations (Intelligence) (SIB) in November 2020. Despite his retirement in June 2020, Prabhakar Rao continued to hold the position until August 2021, when the government issued orders for his continuation as SIB chief. His resignation in December 2023, following the electoral setback of the BRS party, coincided with significant developments in the investigation into the phone tapping scandal.
As the probe progresses, investigators are expected to analyze call data records of the accused police officers, including Praneeth Rao, to ascertain their roles in the alleged phone tapping and data erasure. The outcome of the investigation is likely to shed light on the extent of political interference and administrative lapses in the handling of sensitive intelligence operations during the previous government's tenure.
Source : Business Lines
Tags : Investigation , Allegations , suspended DSP , retired IPS officer. , Phone tapping , former SIB chief , political connections , data erasure ,
Summary : The investigation into alleged phone tapping and data erasure involving suspended Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) G Praneeth Rao is now focusing on former SIB chief T Prabhakar Rao, a retired IPS officer closely associated with the former chief minister. Prabhakar Rao's alleged role in instructing the destruction of data, including recordings of opposition leaders and key officials, is under scrutiny. Praneeth Rao, reportedly utilizing sophisticated tools used for tracking Maoists and terrorists, is accused of maintaining and erasing data of thousands of individuals. The investigation timeline includes Prabhakar Rao's resignation following the BRS party's electoral loss and his earlier appointments in the intelligence department.
Adversitement