Phone tapping claims in...
share of liquor licences in the national capital.
Kishan Reddy recalled an incident from April 2019, ahead of the general elections, where phone tapping led to the Hyderabad police learning about the BJP’s legal withdrawal of a significant amount of cash from the party’s account. He demanded a judicial probe into the matter and sought clarification from the BRS leadership, including K Chandrashekar Rao, about his daughter and BRS MLC K Kavitha’s alleged involvement in the Delhi liquor scam.
The Panjagutta police station, where the phone tapping case is registered, is seeking police custody of Additional Superintendents of Police N Bhujanga Rao and M Thirupatanna, who were arrested on Saturday. Deputy Commissioner of Police of West Zone, Hyderabad Police, S M Vijay Kumar, stated that the investigation would intensify once they interrogate the two.
Regarding reports of the purchase and import of electronic surveillance equipment from Israel by shell companies for supply to the SIB, the DCP assured that the police would share information when necessary. He added that they intend to question former SIB head T Prabhakar Rao and ex-DCP P Radhakishan Rao, following legal procedures.
Reports suggest that Ravi Paul, a technical consultant with the state intelligence bureau during the BRS government’s rule, is alleged to have assisted in importing and installing phone-tapping equipment near Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s residence to eavesdrop on his conversations.
It is claimed that the equipment was imported from Israel, using a software company as a cover, without obtaining the necessary permissions from the Centre. This setup reportedly allowed for conversations within a 300-metre radius to be overheard.
Ravi Paul is said to have established an office near Reddy’s residence where he installed the device. The police are preparing to interrogate him regarding this matter, reported NDTV on Tuesday.
Lookout notices have been issued for Sharvan Rao, who operates a Telugu TV
channel called I News, and Radha Kishan Rao, a city task force police officer.
The surveillance was not limited to Opposition leaders. Prominent businessmen, including real estate brokers and jewellers, as well as celebrities, were also monitored. Reportedly, the tapping of phone conversations even resulted in the divorce of a celebrity couple.
Adding to the BRS’ woes, Chief Minister Reddy has received a complaint from Saran Chowdary, a businessman and BJP leader. He alleges that senior police officers kidnapped him last year and coerced him into transferring a plot of land to a relative of Errabelli Dayakar Rao, a former minister and BRS leader.
Chowdary claimed that on August 21, while en route to his office, he was kidnapped by Radha Kishan Rao and senior police officer ACP Umamaheswara Rao. He alleged that he was unlawfully detained and forced to register his property in the name of Vijay, a close relative of the minister, and was compelled to pay Rs 50 lakh before being released.
The businessman stated that he had approached the High Court following the incident, but Uma Maheshwar Rao threatened to lodge false cases against him, forcing him to retract the petition.