The BJP in Telangana is calling for a CBI investigation into alleged phone tapping during the previous government’s rule. BJP MP K Laxman stated that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy should request a CBI probe to uncover the masterminds behind the phone tapping incidents.
Laxman expressed concern over the recent arrests of police officials involved in phone tapping and mentioned allegations of tapping during elections in Dubbaka, Munugode, and Huzurabad Assembly seats. He accused the current government of trying to protect those responsible for the phone tapping.
The BJP leader criticized the Congress and BRS parties for engaging in a “Tom and Jerry fight” of making allegations against each other during elections to deceive the public. He claimed that cash meant for the ruling party was transported in police vehicles and that realtors and jewellers were targeted through phone tapping.
A delegation of BJP leaders plans to meet the Governor to demand a thorough investigation by the Centre into the phone tapping issue. Laxman also alleged that opposition party leaders had their phones tapped during the BRS rule for political gain.
The phone tapping scandal emerged with the arrest of Deputy Superintendent of Police D. Praneeth Rao, who served in the Special Intelligence Branch (SIB). Three more officials have since been arrested, including former Deputy Commissioner of Police Radha Kishan Rao. Police allege that a Special Operations Team within SIB was conducting surveillance on political leaders and dissidents within the ruling party.
Former SIB chief Prabhakar Rao, who reportedly ordered the phone tapping, is currently being sought by police.
