SIT issues fresh notice to KCR, seeks examination at Nandi Nagar residence

The SIT probing the alleged phone-tapping case has issued a fresh notice to BRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao, directing him to appear for questioning at his Nandi Nagar residence, citing the need to examine sensitive electronic and physical records

Hyderabad: The Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing the alleged phone-tapping case, has issued a fresh notice to BRS president and former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, asking him to appear for examination at his Nandi Nagar residence in Hyderabad at 3 pm on Sunday.

In their notice, the officials said as the examination involved reference to many electronic and physical records which are sensitive in nature, it would be difficult to transport them to Erravelli as requested by him earlier. Further, they issued the fresh notices at the BRS chief’s Nandi Nagar residence, which was cited in the official records as his official residence, and stated that it would not be possible for them to question him elsewhere.

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The move comes a day after the BRS chief responded to an earlier notice seeking postponement for another date and suggesting questioning at his Erravelli residence. The BRS chief is expected to reply on Saturday, as the SIT notice was served late on Friday evening.

On Thursday, the SIT served notices to Chandrashekhar Rao under Section 160 of the CrPC, summoning him for questioning in the alleged phone-tapping case at 3 pm on Friday. As he was a senior citizen, the officials asked him to choose a convenient location within Hyderabad for the examination, and that the investigating team will visit him there.

However, the BRS president informed them that he was preoccupied with the ongoing municipal election nomination process and requested a later date. He had also asked them that the examination be conducted at his Erravelli residence in Siddipet district, citing legal provisions that exempt persons above 65 from being required to attend a police station and does not impose territorial limits to the police for examination. He reiterated his willingness to cooperate with the investigation and asked that future notices be sent to his Erravelli address.

Despite this, the SIT has now asked him to attend for questioning in Hyderabad. Officials maintained that the law allows questioning at a place of the individual’s choice within the city, with the investigation team travelling to the location.

The case which was registered at Panjagutta police station, has already seen questioning of several senior BRS leaders, including KT Rama Rao, T Harish Rao and J Santosh Kumar.