Former chief of the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) T. Prabhakar Rao was questioned for nine hours on Thursday (June 19) by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the high-profile phone tapping case. Rao had earlier appeared for questioning before the West Zone police on June 11 , after his return to India from the United States. He has now been summoned again for further interrogation on Friday (June 20).
Investigators are continuing to examine Mr. Rao’s role in the alleged unauthorised surveillance operations that took place during his tenure as SIB head. According to sources close to the investigation, Mr. Rao stated that he “acted only on instructions”, though he did not elaborate on whose orders he was following.
Mr. Rao had returned to Hyderabad from the United States earlier this month, following a Supreme Court directive that granted him protection from arrest if he appeared before the investigating officer within three days of receiving his travel documents. He had remained abroad for months, citing ill health, despite a case being registered against him by the Panjagutta police over a year ago.
The scandal broke open following the arrest of former SIB Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Praneeth Rao on March 13, 2024. He was taken into custody from his home in Rajanna-Sircilla district after a complaint filed by Additional SP D. Ramesh, alleging that Praneeth had illegally intercepted phone calls of several political leaders and senior government officials.
Published – June 19, 2025 10:26 pm IST