The prime accused in the phone tapping case that has become a sensation across Telangana, former SIB chief T. Prabhakar Rao has finally returned to Hyderabad from his hide-out in the USA and he will appear before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in Hyderabad later on Monday.
He returned to Hyderabad from USA after almost 15 months. When he reached Shamshabad airport at 7.40 pm on Sunday, the immigration officials at the airport began questioning him as there were lookout notices against him. It is reported that Prabhakar Rao’s details were taken for three hours at the immigration office.
However, when Prabhakar Rao was coming out of the airport, about 50 to 70 followers appeared. Apart from that, 15 bouncers were also arranged. When Prabhakar Rao tried to talk to the media, it is said that the bouncers accompanying Prabhakar Rao pushed the media representatives and attacked them.
A convoy with bouncers went to Prabhakar Rao’s house. After dropping Prabhakar Rao at his house, the bouncers left. It may be recalled that he was forced to return from the USA after the police issued LOC and Red Corner Notices against him and also cancelled his passport.
On May 29, the Supreme Court issued orders to renew Prabhakar Rao’s passport and issue a travel visa. The Apex Court directed him to come to Hyderabad within 3 days and cooperate with the investigation. With that, he reached Hyderabad.
The Panjagutta police registered a case on March 10, 2024, alleging that phone tapping was carried out by the SIB during the previous BRS government. While Prabhakar Rao is the main accused in this case, four accused P. Radhakishan Rao, N. Bhujanga Rao, M. Thirupathanna, and D. Praneeth Rao have already been arrested.
The Supreme Court has granted anticipatory bail to another accused Sravan Kumar Rao. Along with these five, dozens of witnesses have been examined and their statements have also been recorded. Officials have also prepared questions to question Prabhakar Rao.
Officials say that if necessary, he will have to appear for questioning two or three times. The Supreme Court has imposed a condition on him to cooperate fully with the police investigation while granting him relief from arrest. On the other hand, the court will once again hear the petition filed by him on August 5.