Phone tapping case: Ex-SIB chief Prabhakar Rao was serving interests of ex CM K Chandrasekhar Rao, says Telangana MP Eatala Rajender; claims his phone was tapped multiple times

HYDERABAD: BJP MP Eatala Rajender, who appeared before the special investigation team (SIT) probing the phone tapping scandal, claimed that his phone was tapped multiple times. Speaking to the media after his deposition on Tuesday, Rajender alleged that the surveillance intensified during the Huzurabad by-election, and even the phones of his personal security staff were intercepted.Questioning the Congress govt's silence on the issue, he asked, "When will this phone tapping finally end?" He also demanded to know why the state govt has not yet released reports from various committees investigating corruption linked to the previous BRS regime.Rajender accused top officials of acting as 'puppets' for former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. "SIB former chief Prabhakar Rao flouted norms to serve KCR's interests. There now appears to be a tacit understanding between the BRS and Congress," he alleged.According to Rajender, the former BRS govt indiscriminately tapped the phones of prominent figures from various sectors, infringing on constitutional freedoms. "Instead of targeting anti-social elements, they tapped opposition leaders," he said, citing instances from the Munugode by-election where the BJP's strategy, conversations, and movements were allegedly monitored. He criticised the Congress govt for setting up inquiry panels on phone tapping and the Kaleshwaram project but not ensuring timely investigations.Echoing similar concerns, BJP state general secretary G Premender Reddy told SIT officials that both his phones were tapped during the polls. He described the previous BRS govt's surveillance operations as 'disgraceful'.