KTR questioned by SIT on donor surveillance list
HYDERABAD: The Special Investigation Team questioned BRS working president and former minister K T Rama Rao for over seven-and-a-half hours on Friday in connection with the illegal phone tapping case.
KTR arrived at the SIT office at Jubilee Hills around 11 am and left at 6.30 pm, sources said.
SIT probes link between donations and alleged surveillance
The questioning focused on donations and electoral bonds received by the party during KTR’s tenure as working president. Investigators examined whether illegal phone tapping was used to intimidate businessmen into donating to BRS.
The SIT is learnt to have told KTR that it had evidence suggesting phones of several businessmen who donated to the party were placed under surveillance. A list containing the phone numbers was reportedly shown to him during the questioning.
KTR denies intimidation, questions Prabhakar Rao reappointment
When asked about complaints by some businessmen alleging intimidation through phone tapping, KTR is learnt to have denied the allegations, stating that donations were made voluntarily.
Investigators also questioned him about the reappointment of Prabhakar Rao, alleging that it violated norms and was intended to facilitate phone tapping for the party’s benefit. KTR reportedly told the SIT that if there were lapses in the reappointment, action should be taken against the responsible senior officials and questioned why he was being targeted.
KTR flags ‘leaks’ on personal allegations
During the questioning, KTR is learnt to have asked SIT officials why alleged leaks were made to the media linking him to film actresses. He reportedly said the false publicity caused him mental distress for some time.
SIT officials, sources said, denied issuing any such leaks and told him they had found no evidence to that effect. When KTR asked if he could state this publicly, officials reportedly said they had no objection.
Witness confrontation involving Radhakrishan Rao
The SIT also questioned former Hyderabad Task Force deputy commissioner of police Radhakrishan Rao, an accused in the phone tapping case, on Friday. He was confronted with a witness as part of the investigation.
The confrontation was conducted to verify the witness’s statement. As it took place in another room while KTR was being questioned, speculation arose that the two were confronted with each other, which officials later clarified was not the case.
SIT statement: probe strictly limited to phone tapping angle
In a statement issued late on Friday, Additional Director General of Police V C Sajjanar said the questioning of KTR was part of the investigation into a case registered at Panjagutta police station over allegations of illegal surveillance on thousands of citizens, including political leaders, businessmen, journalists and members of the judiciary.
He said the information obtained from KTR was being analysed with evidence on record and that KTR had been instructed not to contact or influence witnesses. Sajjanar said KTR was told he could be summoned again if required.
The ADGP also said some media organisations were carrying unverified reports claiming phone tapping was carried out only for security reasons and involved no illegal activity. “The investigating agency has no connection with such false narratives,” he said, urging the public to rely only on officially verified information.
