The team involved in alleged phone tapping seized money from ministers’ associates like Uttam Kumar Reddy and Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy. Additional SP Thirupatanna played a key role in seizing the money.
Thirupatanna confessed to Hyderabad police about his involvement in the phone tapping. He said the raids were ordered by Special Intelligence Branch (SIB) Chief Prabhakar Rao and Bhujanga Rao. A special team of two CIs and 20 constables tapped 40 to 50 cellphones per day. Thirupatanna also worked in the special task force during recent elections.
Money was seized from Congress and BJP leaders based on information from SIB DSP Praneeth Rao. Operations were conducted in various locations, including Kollur, where large sums of money were seized.
A total of 300 cell phones were tapped, and data was destroyed after Congress won the election. Additional SP Bhujanga Rao revealed that opposition leaders’ phones were also tapped. They tracked vehicles and monitored family members, student leaders, and journalists.
The phone tapping occurred during various elections, including Dubbaka, Huzurabad, Munugode assembly constituencies, and GHMC elections. Leaders who criticized K T Rama Rao regarding the TSPSC paper leakage were targeted.
The operation had support from Madhapur SOT police. Former DCP Task Force P Radha Kishan Rao and SIB DSP Praneeth Rao, who were arrested, provided statements about the alleged phone tapping case.
