Phone-Tapping Case: SIT Rejects Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) Farmhouse Plea, Orders Appearance at Hyderabad Home

Phone-Tapping Case: SIT Rejects Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) Farmhouse Plea, Orders Appearance at Hyderabad Home

Hyderabad: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the high-profile phone-tapping case has issued a firm directive to former Telangana Chief Minister and BRS chief K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), rejecting his request to be questioned at his Erravelli farmhouse in Siddipet district.

In an official communication dated January 30, the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Jubilee Hills Division, instructed KCR to make himself available for questioning at his Hyderabad residence on February 1 at 3 pm, making it clear that the venue would not be changed.

The SIT explained that the location of examination is determined by the “ordinary place of residence” as reflected in official records, including election affidavits and state legislative assembly documents, all of which list KCR’s Hyderabad address. On this basis, the agency said it could not accept his request to be examined at Erravelli village, around 60 km from the city.

Investigators also cited practical and security concerns, noting that the probe involves several sensitive electronic and physical records. Transporting these materials to Yerravelli was described as “administratively difficult” and potentially insecure.

While acknowledging KCR’s age—above 65 years—and his legal protections under Section 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which exempt him from appearing at a police station, the SIT said it was already extending accommodation by agreeing to conduct the questioning at his city residence rather than summoning him to a police office.

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The SIT is investigating allegations that the previous BRS government carried out illegal phone surveillance on more than 6,000 individuals, including current Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, judges, politicians, and businessmen.

KCR is the fourth senior BRS leader to be summoned in the case. His son and party working president K.T. Rama Rao was questioned for nearly seven hours on January 23, while former irrigation minister T. Harish Rao appeared before the SIT on January 20. Rajya Sabha MP Joginpally Santosh Kumar was questioned for eight hours on January 27.

KCR had earlier sought a postponement of his January 30 appearance, citing his engagement with the upcoming municipal elections scheduled for February 11. Although the SIT granted him a fresh date, its insistence on the Hyderabad venue signals a tougher stance as the investigation reaches the party’s top leadership.