Hyderabad police may question Harish Rao again
After the questioning ended around 7 pm, Rao left the SIT office and headed to Telangana Bhavan, the BRS party headquarters, the following day.
Hyderabad police on Wednesday urged the public to ignore rumours and misinformation surrounding the questioning of BRS MLA and former minister T. Harish Rao in the high-profile phone-tapping case, a day after he was examined for nearly eight hours by the Special Investigation Team (SIT).
Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar issued a statement clarifying that Rao’s questioning was part of a continuing investigation and was not in violation of any court orders. He appealed to citizens and social media users not to believe or circulate false claims suggesting that Rao was being examined despite a Supreme Court order quashing the case against him.
Rao, a senior leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and MLA from Siddipet, was questioned on Tuesday, January 20, by the SIT probing allegations of illegal phone tapping during the previous BRS government. The interrogation took place at the Jubilee Hills Assistant Commissioner of Police’s office and lasted from around 11 am until approximately 7 pm.
In his statement, Commissioner Sajjanar explained that Rao was summoned as part of further investigation in Crime No.“Sri T. Sajjanar added that Rao was allowed to leave earlier in the evening after requesting permission due to his son’s scheduled flight later that night.
The police chief stressed that the examination was lawful and procedural, noting that while the Telangana High Court had earlier dismissed the case against Rao, the broader investigation into the phone-tapping allegations was still ongoing. The Supreme Court had upheld the High Court’s order after the state government challenged it, a fact that has been repeatedly cited by Rao’s supporters.
Addressing speculation about Rao’s status, Sajjanar said the former minister has been “clearly instructed not to contact, influence, or interfere with any witnesses connected with the investigation.” He also made it clear that Rao could be summoned again if investigators felt further examination was necessary. “He may be contacted again for further examination, if required,” the commissioner said.
The phone-tapping case involves serious allegations of unauthorised and illegal surveillance, including the interception and monitoring of phone calls of politicians, journalists and other individuals during the tenure of the previous BRS government between 2014 and 2023. The matter has generated significant political controversy in Telangana, with the ruling Congress and opposition BRS trading accusations over accountability and misuse of state machinery.
Tuesday’s questioning took place amid tense scenes outside the police office. Several BRS leaders and supporters gathered at the Jubilee Hills premises, protesting against what they claimed was the denial of entry to advocates during the interrogation. The situation remained largely under control, though it underscored the charged political atmosphere surrounding the case.
According to reports, Assistant Commissioner of Police Venkatagiri and Superintendent of Police Ravinder Reddy were among the senior officers involved in the questioning. Investigators are believed to have asked Rao about administrative decisions taken during his tenure as irrigation and finance minister, as well as his alleged role in the functioning of the surveillance apparatus.
Rao has consistently denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that the case against him is politically motivated. BRS leaders have accused the state government of using the investigation to target opposition figures and damage the party’s image ahead of future elections.
After the interrogation concluded around 7 pm, Rao left the SIT office and proceeded to Telangana Bhavan, the BRS party headquarters. His departure marked the end of a long day that once again placed him at the centre of a contentious legal and political battle.
With the investigation continuing and the possibility of further summons remaining open, the phone-tapping case is set to remain a flashpoint in Telangana politics. For now, police officials say their focus is on conducting a thorough and fair inquiry, even as political tensions and public scrutiny continue to intensify.