Hyderabad: The Special Investigation Team probing the phone tapping case issued a notice to political analyst and AARAA Poll Strategies founder Sheikh Mastan, asking him to appear for questioning.
The SIT, led by city police commissioner C V Anand Sajjanar, earlier questioned key accused in the case. These included former SIB chief Prabhakar Rao, along with Radhakishan Rao, Bhujanga Rao, Praneeth Rao and Tirupatanna.
Investigators said the questioning helped them gather crucial information. Based on those inputs, the SIT expanded the scope of the probe.
Following the notice, Mastan was expected to appear at the Jubilee Hills police station shortly. Officers planned to question him to collect additional details related to the alleged illegal surveillance.
Phone tapping case probe widens
According to investigators, Mastan’s name also appeared among those allegedly subjected to phone tapping during the previous BRS government. The SIT decided to question him to verify details and strengthen the case.
The SIT has already questioned several victims in the phone tapping scandal. The list includes MPs, political leaders and public figures such as Eatala Rajender, Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, Raghunandan Rao, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Mahesh Kumar Goud, and Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy.
Investigators also questioned media executives and other individuals as part of the inquiry. During the probe, the SIT found evidence suggesting that the accused tapped phone numbers ranging from around 600 to nearly 6,000.
Officials said the SIT retrieved pen drive data containing phone numbers and related details. The team continued to analyse the material to identify further links in the case.