Hyderabad: Union Minister Bandi Sanjay appeared before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Friday regarding the phone-tapping scandal. Afterward, he accused both the former BRS government and the current Congress administration in Telangana of working together to protect the real offenders. Sanjay called for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a thorough investigation.
Sanjay expressed shock upon learning that 6,500 phones were monitored, including his own, allegedly under the guise of Maoist surveillance. “Not only my phone but those of my staff, family, and even KCR’s daughter and son-in-law were tapped,” he revealed. He claimed to be the first to expose this scandal.
The Minister provided evidence to the SIT and was surprised by the findings. “The police knew of my political plans in advance because of phone-tapping,” he stated, explaining how authorities contacted his staff to verify his schedules.
Sanjay accused the previous government of misusing the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB). He alleged that they tapped the phones of political figures, businesspeople, film personalities, and professors. Even BRS ministers, MLAs, and MLCs were targeted, with SIT confirming the tapping of KCR’s daughter Kavitha’s phone.
Judges investigating the Group-1 paper leak case had their phones tapped, Sanjay claimed, calling it a new low in political surveillance. “Police showed up at our homes ahead of protest plans,” he said, illustrating the depth of the monitoring.
Sanjay also pointed to financial misconduct linked to the phone-tapping. He mentioned an incident where Rs 7 crore was seized from a Congress MP candidate in Khammam, but only Rs 2 crore was officially recorded, with the rest allegedly misappropriated.
He criticized Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, questioning why no action was taken against those responsible, despite substantial evidence from the SIT. “Why haven’t the Enforcement Directorate been informed? Why haven’t KCR or his son been called in?” he asked. Sanjay accused Revanth Reddy of protecting KCR and claimed Congress and BRS were delaying justice.
Bandi Sanjay demanded a CBI investigation, arguing that the SIT lacked the power to summon judges or top political figures. “If Congress is honest, they should immediately ask for a CBI probe. BJP leaders have already approached the High Court for this,” he stated.
Sanjay also questioned the role of retired officer Prabhakar Rao in the SIB, claiming he was falsely presented as IG to access sensitive data. He accused KCR’s government of breaching telecom rules and ignoring Home Ministry guidelines on data deletion.
The Union Minister reiterated that the SIT had evidence of thousands of phones being tapped, including those of BJP members. “Only KCR, his son, and MP Santosh were spared. Even Harish Rao stopped using a phone for a year after finding out,” he added.
Sanjay concluded his statement by affirming his cooperation with the investigation and urged Revanth Reddy to meet with the SIT. “If Revanth is genuine, he should request a CBI probe. Otherwise, this is mere political drama,” he said. Sanjay, along with party members, went to the SIT location after visiting a temple.
