Ex-SIIB Chief Prabhakar Faces SIT

Former SIIB (State Intelligence Internal Bureau) chief Prabhakar Rao has appeared before the Special InvestigationTeam (SIT) in connection with the high-profile phone tapping case. After spending over 14 months in the United States, Prabhakar Rao returned to Hyderabad to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.

Prabhakar Rao has been named Accused No. 1 (A1) in the case registered at Panjagutta police station. Upon his arrival, SIT officials began questioning him, expecting to extract crucial details regarding the illegal surveillance operations carried out during his tenure.

So far, the SIT has arrested several key individuals in the case, including Praneer Rao, Radhakishan Rao, Bhujanga Rao, and Thirupathanna. Prabhakar Rao will be interrogated based on the information and testimonies already gathered from these accused.

When the phone tapping case was initially filed, Prabhakar Rao left for the United States. After failing to return despite multiple notices, his passport was cancelled by Indian authorities. Under pressure from legal proceedings and following orders from the Supreme Court, he was allowed to travel back to India using an emergency travel document. He landed in Hyderabad via Dubai on an Emirates flight at 8:20 pm on Sunday.

This marks a historic moment, as it is reportedly the first time a retired IG-level officer in Telangana’s history has appeared for a police investigation. Sources close to the SIT say Prabhakar Rao's testimony is expected to provide clarity on the extent of unauthorized phone surveillance and the chain of command involved.

The case has generated widespread attention, given its political and administrative implications, and further developments are anticipated as the SIT continues its probe.