Phone-tapping comes under police, not politicians: RS Praveen Kumar

Former IPS officer and BRS leader RS Praveen Kumar said phone-tapping was a lawful intelligence tool handled by police, not politicians. He questioned the SIT probe and alleged political targeting of BRS leaders by the Congress government.

Hyderabad: Former IPS officer and BRS general secretary RS Praveen Kumar on Friday asserted that phone-tapping was a lawful and essential tool for national and State security, and was within the purview of the intelligence wing. He reiterated that politicians have no role in intelligence gathering and cannot be held accountable for any lapses.

Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan, Praveen Kumar said phone tapping was permitted under law and has been practised since the British era for security purposes. He accused Revanth Reddy of irresponsibly exposing a highly confidential intelligence matter for political gain and exploiting it to harass BRS leaders through illegal means.

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He recalled that a previous investigation into the case by the Panjagutta police, in which 350 people were questioned, found no evidence of phone tapping and did not name any BRS leader, despite alleged threats to a constable during the probe. “Yet, a fresh SIT has been deliberately constituted to target our leaders KT Rama Rao and T Harish Rao,” he alleged.

Praveen Kumar questioned the credibility of the SIT, pointing out that Hyderabad police commissioner VC Sajjanar, who was facing seven cases himself, lacked the moral authority to investigate the case. He accused officers of supporting the Congress government’s agenda for promotions.

He said BRS leaders were being targeted for exposing corruption. “Despite false cases, we will continue our uncompromising struggle as the voice of the people,” he said.