In a major legal triumph, BRS leader and erstwhile minister Harish Rao has been exempted of charges after the High Court cancelled the FIR against him. The case was initiated against him on a complaint lodged by real estate tycoon Chakradhar Goud, who had alleged Harish Rao to be part of the phone-tapping scandal. The police had marked Harish Rao as A1 (Accused No.1) in the case after the complaint.
Harish Rao had challenged the FIR in court, claiming that the case was politically motivated and sought its dismissal. The police had also booked Radha Kishan Rao along with him. After hearing arguments from both parties, the High Court expressed doubts regarding the evidence produced by the police. Even after seeking more time, the court held that an FIR cannot be registered without concrete evidence and dismissed the case.
Prior to the Telangana elections in 2023, a charge was made that the BRS government had been indulging in phone tapping of prominent opposition leaders. It was reported that the state police were at the helm. Once in office, the Congress government headed by Revanth Reddy initiated a thorough probe, and cases were registered against several officials.
As the inquiry intensified, political leaders also faced the heat and were booked by lodging complaints against them. Chakradhar Goud lodged a formal complaint against Harish Rao and Radha Kishan Rao six months back, which prompted police action. But with the court ruling of the High Court, Harish Rao charges have been dropped, providing a significant boost for BRS leader.