In a startling development, the ongoing phone-tapping scandal in Telangana has taken a significant turn with the arrest of senior police officer Radhakrishna Rao. Rao’s revelations have brought to light alleged political machinations and illicit activities surrounding the state’s elections.
According to reports, Radhakrishna Rao claimed that officials involved in the phone-tapping scandal spoke about ensuring the continuity of the ruling party, previously known as Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), in power. He further disclosed that cash transactions were carried out in official vehicles during the 2018 and 2023 Assembly polls, implicating key figures in the state’s political landscape.
The remand report filed by the police reveals Rao’s statements regarding a conspiracy involving Praneeth Rao, Bhujanga Rao, Tirupatanna, and Venugopal Rao under the leadership of the then State Intelligence Bureau chief T Prabhakar Rao. Their alleged goal was to ensure the TRS, now referred to as BRS (Bharat Rashtra Samithi), remained in power in Telangana.
Rao cited specific instances such as the Dubbak and Munugode by-polls, where large sums of money were reportedly seized from individuals linked to political opponents. These incidents shed light on the murky depths of electoral politics, with allegations of cash flow to influence election outcomes.
The arrest of Radhakrishna Rao, who served as the Deputy Commissioner of Police in the city task force, has brought attention to the methods employed to maintain political dominance. His claims of surveillance on opposition leaders and directives from higher authorities have added fuel to the already intense political atmosphere in Telangana.
The primary accused in this scandal, T Prabhakar Rao, currently faces a look-out notice and is expected to join the investigation soon. The involvement of top-ranking officials and the alleged misuse of state machinery for political gains underscore the seriousness of the situation.
Political reactions have been swift, with Congress leader N Uttam Kumar Reddy asserting that such activities occurred with the knowledge of the previous TRS government’s leadership. The scale of phone tapping, reportedly involving over one lakh phone calls, has raised concerns about privacy and misuse of surveillance powers.
As the investigation unfolds, more revelations are expected, and the implications of this scandal could reverberate in the upcoming political landscape of Telangana. The demand for accountability and transparency in governance has gained momentum, highlighting the need for ethical conduct in electoral processes and law enforcement activities.
Sources By Agencies
