Hyderabad: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has brought the phone tapping probe close to completion and stepped up efforts to file a final chargesheet in the politically sensitive case.
Officials have reportedly gathered extensive technical and forensic evidence during the investigation, which has continued for more than five months.
The proposed chargesheet is expected to include data related to 618 phone numbers, nearly 2,500 intercepted conversations and forensic reports.
Investigators are also preparing evidence against former SIB chief T. Prabhakar Rao and other accused named in the case.
Phone tapping probe records statements of alleged victims
The SIT has accelerated the process of recording statements from individuals identified as alleged victims of surveillance.
On Saturday, officials recorded the statements of Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao and Rajya Sabha member Anil Kumar Yadav.
Investigators visited the minister’s residence and gathered information for nearly an hour.
Later, Anil Kumar Yadav appeared before officials at the Police Command Control Centre in Banjara Hills.
Investigators reportedly found technical evidence indicating that their phones came under surveillance during the 2023 Assembly elections.
The inquiry also revealed that authorities monitored phones belonging to some of Tummala Nageswara Rao’s family members and close associates, according to investigators.
Meanwhile, the SIT has reportedly identified evidence suggesting that the phones of Ministers Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy and Jupally Krishna Rao also came under surveillance during the previous government.
Officials are expected to record their statements in the coming days.
The SIT has already recorded statements from Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar and TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud.
The investigation has also expanded to include alleged surveillance of journalists.
According to investigators, authorities monitored the phones of around 28 journalists working in Hyderabad and other districts.
The SIT reportedly found that some interceptions took place under legal provisions, while investigators suspect unauthorised monitoring in several other cases.
Recently, Sakshi Political Chief Reporter Kalvala Mallikarjun Reddy appeared before the SIT.
Earlier, The Hindu Political Editor R. Ravikanth Reddy also recorded his statement.
The SIT is taking precautions to ensure the investigation withstands legal scrutiny.
Investigators are relying heavily on data recovered from damaged hard disks allegedly destroyed in the SIB logger room.
Officials are linking witness testimonies with technical evidence while preparing the final chargesheet.
Sources indicated that investigators may submit the chargesheet before the court within the next few weeks.