KTR to appear before SIT today amid heavy security; BRS cadre arrested

BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao is set to appear before the SIT in the phone-tapping case on Friday. Security has been tightened in Hyderabad amid BRS allegations of pre-emptive arrests and restrictions on political gatherings.

Hyderabad: BRS working president KT Rama Rao will appear before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for questioning in the phone-tapping case at 11 am on Friday at the Jubilee Hills Police Station.

Accompanied by senior BRS leader and former Minister T Harish Rao, he left for Telangana Bhavan with a huge convoy of vehicles this morning.

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They reached Telangana Bhavan around 10 am. Following a meeting with the party MLAs, MLCs and senior leaders, Rama Rao is expected to address the media, before proceeding to the police station.

Earlier on Thursday night, he held consultations with the legal team. The SIT had earlier questioned Harish Rao for several hours in the same case earlier this week.

Meanwhile, BRS leaders and activists from across the State, including the erstwhile Medak district, have begun converging on Hyderabad to express solidarity with Rama Rao, even as police remain on high alert to prevent gatherings near the police station.

Security has been tightened at both Telangana Bhavan and Jubilee Hills Police Station, with barricades erected and personnel from local police, Task Force, Quick Reaction Team and Armed Reserve deployed. Only Rama Rao is expected to be allowed into the SIT office, though the BRS has demanded that his legal counsel be permitted to accompany him.

The BRS alleged large-scale pre-emptive arrests of party leaders and Osmania University students ahead of the questioning. Several BRSV functionaries and students were reportedly picked up from hostels late on Thursday night and shifted to police stations, drawing sharp criticism from the party, which termed the action illegal and aimed at stifling dissent.