Former Telangana Intelligence Chief Surrenders Amidst Phone-Tapping Scandal

T Prabhakar Rao, the former head of Telangana's Special Intelligence Bureau, surrendered to police on charges related to an alleged phone-tapping scandal. The Supreme Court directed his surrender for further investigation into accusations that he misused intelligence resources for political surveillance during the previous regime.

T Prabhakar Rao, the former intelligence chief of Telangana, surrendered to police amid allegations of a phone-tapping conspiracy. His surrender followed a Supreme Court directive aimed at allowing further investigation into the case, reflecting serious charges against him and others for misusing intelligence resources.

Rao, formerly leading the Special Intelligence Bureau, appeared at Jubilee Hills police station. This comes as part of a series of arrests linked to allegations of illegal surveillance and the erasure of intelligence data during the former BRS regime. Since March 2024, these developments have shaken the local governance structure.

The Supreme Court's intervention seeks to ensure thorough probing of the misuse of power for political ends. The bench, comprising Justices B V Nagarathna and R Mahadevan, outlined conditions for Rao's surrender, maintaining his liberty while under investigation and highlighting the judicial system's responsiveness to unlawful state practices.

(With inputs from agencies.)