The apex court clarified that there was no scope to permit any further questioning or probe against Harish Rao in connection with the case.
Published Jan 05, 2026 | 2:23 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 05, 2026 | 2:23 PM
After hearing arguments from both sides, Supreme Court rejected the state government’s submissions. Credit: iStock, www.facebook.com/TrsHarish
Synopsis: Supreme Court on 5 January dismissed Telangana’s Special Leave Petition in the phone tapping case, upholding the High Court’s quashing of the FIR against BRS leader T Harish Rao. The apex court ruled there was no evidence linking him to the alleged tapping, rejecting the state’s plea for further probe, delivering a major setback to the Congress government.
In a major setback to the Telangana Congress government, the Supreme Court on Monday, 5 January, dismissed the Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by the state in the high-profile phone tapping case, granting big relief to former minister and BRS leader T Harish Rao.
A bench of the apex court refused to interfere with the earlier orders of the Telangana High Court, which had quashed the FIR registered at the Panjagutta police station, holding that there was no material to establish Harish Rao’s involvement in the alleged phone tapping.
The case originated from a complaint filed in 2024 by Siddipet-based real estate businessman Chakradhar Goud, who alleged that his phone was tapped during the tenure of the previous BRS government at the instance of Harish Rao and former Deputy Commissioner of Police (Task Force) P Radha Kishan Rao. Following the complaint, the police registered an FIR and initiated an investigation.
Harish Rao challenged the FIR in the Telangana High Court on 4 December, 2024, seeking its quashing. After hearing the matter, the High Court allowed the plea and, through its order dated 20 March, 2025, quashed the FIR, citing lack of credible evidence.
Challenging the High Court verdict, Chakradhar Goud later approached the Supreme Court. However, a Bench headed by Justice Bela M Trivedi dismissed his petition. Undeterred, the Telangana government again moved the Supreme Court on 18 June, filing an SLP against the quashing of FIR.
During the hearing, senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for the State government, argued that the investigation into the phone tapping case was still underway and claimed that crucial evidence was available. He sought the court’s permission to question Harish Rao as part of the probe.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Supreme Court rejected the state government’s submissions. A Bench led by Justice BV Nagarathna recalled that the High Court had already made it clear that Harish Rao had no role in the alleged phone tapping episode and held that there was no justification to interfere with the High Court’s orders.
The apex court further clarified that there was no scope to permit any further questioning or investigation against Harish Rao in connection with the case.
(Edited by Amit Vasudev)
