In a relief to senior Bharat Rasthra Samithi (BRS) leader and former Telangana minister T Harish Rao, the Telangana HC has directed the police not to arrest him in the alleged phone tapping case until further orders. The court has directed the Punjagutta police to not arrest Harish Rao till December 30.
The court passed the interim order based on a peititon filed by Harish Rao to quash the FIR against him. The court, however, has allowed the police to continue the probe, and asked Harish Rao to cooperate in the investigation by furnishing information and documents as sought by the police.
Earlier on Wednesday, December 4, Siddipet BRS MLA Harish Rao had filed the petition pleading to quash the FIR registered a day earlier with the Panjagutta police by Gadhagi Chakradhar Goud, alleging phone tapping during the 2023 Telangana Assembly elections.
Goud, a businessman from Siddipet who also runs the Farmers First Foundation, had alleged harassment threats and unlawful surveillance, based on which the police booked Harish Rao and retired police officer Radhakishan Rao. Goud, who contested the 2023 election from the Siddipet constituency on a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) ticket, alleged that Harish Rao had a problem with him contesting as his rival, and also his social welfare campaigns in the constituency.
Senior advocate Ramchander Rao, representing Harish Rao, alleged that the case filed against the BRS leader was politically motivated and aimed at tarnishing his reputation. He further questioned as to why there was a delay in registering a complaint where the allegations of phone tapping date back to the Assembly elections in 2023.
Senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, appearing on behalf of the state, argued that the investigation is underway and should not be held back. He added that an order not to arrest can be passed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) (direction for grant of bail to person apprehending arrest).
Panjagutta police had registered the case under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 120(B) (Criminal conspiracy), 386 (Extortion), 409 (Criminal breach of trust), 506 (Criminal intimidation) and Section 66 of the Information Technology Act.
The court observed that “there is no explanation for the delay caused in lodging the complaint.” It also said that “the contents of the complaint lack the very ingredients of the offences alleged against the petitioner, more particularly, under Sections 386, 409 and 506 of IPC. In a matter like this, custodial interrogation of petitioner is not required. He is a sitting MLA.”
Goud has alleged that during the election period, his supporters received threat calls mentioning confidential matters, which made him suspicious of phone tapping. He also said he received an email from Apple stating that his device might have been subject to state sponsored spyware attacks. On these grounds, Goud has accused Rao of misusing his power as a minister and tapping his phone. He also alleged 20 of his family members' phones were also tapped.
Goud stated in his complaint that Harish Rao developed a grudge against him due to his charitable activities, including financial support to families of farmers who had committed suicide.
Harish Rao, however, denied the allegations and blamed Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy for the “false case.” The former minister alleged that he was being implicated in false cases as the Chief Minister was unable to bear the fact that he was pulling him up for injustice at every step, exposing him, and questioning him on behalf of the people.
(With IANS inputs)