RS Praveen Kumar questions selective targeting of ex-IB chief, media leaks in phone tapping case

BRS leader RS Praveen Kumar accused the Congress government of targeting ex-IB chief T Prabhakar Rao in the phone tapping case, calling the probe politically motivated. He condemned selective media leaks, BJP allegations, and the arrest of BRSV president Gellu Srinivas Yadav.

Hyderabad: BRS leader and former IPS officer Dr RS Praveen Kumar has alleged that the Congress government is selectively targeting former Intelligence Bureau chief T Prabhakar Rao in the phone tapping case. He criticised selective media leaks aimed at maligning Rao’s image without concrete evidence, describing them as deliberate attempts at character assassination.

Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan on Sunday, Praveen Kumar said Prabhakar Rao was being singled out while other officials who served during the same period were being spared. He reminded that Rao had served under successive Congress, TDP, and BRS governments and was a recipient of the President’s Medal as well as a commendation from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

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“If there is concrete evidence, file a charge sheet. Why target only one officer?” he questioned, alleging that the action was motivated by Rao’s perceived closeness to BRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao. He also criticised BJP leaders Bandi Sanjay, Raghunandan Rao, and Konda Vishweshwar Reddy for making unsubstantiated allegations, despite the commendations Rao had received.

Calling the investigation politically motivated, Praveen Kumar questioned whether the SIT was functioning independently or under political pressure from the TPCC. He alleged that due procedures under the Telegraph Act were bypassed and pointed out that no officials from the designated nodal agency or review committee had been questioned.

He urged the government to refrain from targeting individual officers to settle political scores and accused the Congress of practising “deception, diversion, and distraction politics.” He also alleged that the party was enacting political dramas in collusion with the BJP.

Praveen Kumar further condemned what he described as selective media leaks and ‘vulgar’ thumbnails by certain outlets targeting BRS working president KT Rama Rao.

“What is the Cyber Security Cell doing? Will they act only against BRS leaders?” he asked.

While denouncing the attack on a vernacular news channel’s office by BRS student wing members, he also questioned the ethics of publishing unverified reports and engaging in character assassination in the guise of journalism. He called on the SIT to hold an official press briefing and adhere to Supreme Court and High Court guidelines prohibiting speculative reporting and media trials in ongoing investigations.

He termed the arrest of BRSV president Gellu Srinivas Yadav as illegal and demanded his immediate release.