Phone tapping: Prime accused Prabhakar Rao lands in Hyderabad, expected to appear for questioning today

Former Special Investigation Bureau (SIB) chief T. Prabhakar Rao, who is prime accused in the phone tapping case, anded in Hyderabad from the USA on Sunday night, and he is expected to appear before the West Zone police in Hyderabad on Monday for questioning.

An official close to the investigation confirmed that Mr Rao landed in Hyderabad after the Supreme Court granted him protection from arrest, ordering the accused to appear before the investigating officer within three days of receiving the passport/travel documents.

This comes after Mr Rao’s passport was revoked by the Indian authorities and a Red Corner Notice was issued against him due to his prolonged absence for interrogation in the phone tapping case. Mr Rao has been citing ill health to stay in the US after the case was registered by Punjagutta police of Telangana more than a year ago.

The phone tapping scandal surfaced after former Special Intelligence Branch (SIB) DSP Praneeth Rao was arrested on March 13, 2024. Panjagutta police detained him from his residence in Rajanna-Sircilla district, following a complaint by his superior, Additional SP D. Ramesh, who alleged that Rao had unlawfully intercepted the phone calls of several high-profile political leaders and officials.

Published - June 08, 2025 10:08 pm IST