The Telangana phone tapping case could see a significant development, with senior Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders reportedly likely to be named as accused in an upcoming supplementary chargesheet. The investigation is examining allegations of illegal surveillance during the previous BRS government and whether political leaders directed officials to monitor individuals.
According to sources, the supplementary chargesheet may reveal further details about the alleged chain of command, including who authorised the surveillance and how the information collected was used. However, the identities and legal status of any additional accused will be confirmed only after the chargesheet is formally filed.
Five Prominent Figures Reportedly Targeted
Reports indicate that five prominent figures were allegedly subjected to frequent phone tapping. The reported order of surveillance frequency places Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy first, followed by Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar, BJP MP Eatala Rajender, former IPS officer and BRS leader RS Praveen Kumar, and Kondal Reddy, the Chief Minister's brother.
Investigators have already identified several police officials allegedly involved in the surveillance operation. The central question is whether evidence will establish that senior political leaders instructed officials to conduct the alleged tapping.
Case Emerged After BRS Lost Power
The controversy came to light in March 2024, following the Congress party's victory over the BRS in the December 2023 Telangana Assembly elections. A case was registered at Punjagutta police station over allegations of unauthorised surveillance and the destruction of electronic evidence at the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB).
Investigators alleged that equipment intended for intelligence and security operations had been used to monitor political opponents, businesspersons, journalists and other individuals. Former SIB chief T Prabhakar Rao, former DSP D Praneeth Rao and other police officials emerged as key accused in the investigation.
Alleged Destruction of Surveillance Records
Another major aspect of the case concerns the alleged destruction of electronic records after the change of government. According to a reported statement by Praneeth Rao, approximately 50 hard disks were replaced or destroyed at the SIB office on December 4, 2023. CCTV cameras were allegedly switched off during the operation.
Investigators suspected that the actions were intended to eliminate records connected to unauthorised surveillance.
Senior BRS Leaders Questioned
The investigation expanded in January and February 2026, when investigators questioned former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, BRS working president KT Rama Rao, former minister T Harish Rao and former MP J Santosh Kumar.
The questioning renewed attention to possible political involvement, but being questioned does not establish criminal responsibility. Investigators have also examined allegations involving the use of surveillance information for political and financial purposes, including possible connections to electoral bond contributions. The probe reportedly extended to unauthorised access to call detail records and internet-related records belonging to thousands of people.
In August 2026, reports citing senior police officials stated that investigators had recorded statements from more than 600 witnesses, including political leaders. Police were examining these statements alongside documentary and digital evidence, including interception records relating to hundreds of individuals allegedly monitored ahead of the November 2023 Assembly elections.
BRS Rejects Allegations
The BRS has consistently denied that its leadership ordered illegal phone tapping. Party leaders have accused the Congress government of targeting political opponents through the investigation and have insisted that lawful interception must follow established authorisation procedures.
The first chargesheet, filed in June 2024, named police officials and a media executive but did not identify any BRS political leader as an accused.
The forthcoming supplementary chargesheet could become a turning point if investigators formally name senior political figures. The key issue remains whether the evidence establishes a documented link between the officials who allegedly conducted the surveillance and those who may have ordered it. Until the filing takes place, the reported inclusion of BRS leaders remains unconfirmed.
