The case followed allegations that, under the previous BRS government, SIB resources were misused to place political leaders, judges, businessmen and others under unlawful surveillance.
Published Dec 11, 2025 | 5:54 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 11, 2025 | 5:54 PM
T Prabhakar Rao (File pic).
Synopsis: The Bench directed Rao to surrender before the SIT at the Jubilee Hills police station and the investigating officer by 11 am, and made it clear that custodial interrogation can be carried out strictly in accordance with law.
The Supreme Court has ordered Telangana Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB)’s former chief T Prabhakar Rao, the main accused in the phone‑tapping case, to surrender before the SIT by 11 am on Friday, 12 December, marking a crucial turn in the politically sensitive investigation.
The bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan passed the order on Thursday, 11 December, after vacating the interim protection earlier granted to him, making way for custodial interrogation.
The Bench directed Rao to surrender before the SIT at the Jubilee Hills police station and the investigating officer by 11 am, and made it clear that custodial interrogation can be carried out strictly in accordance with law.
The court also recorded that he will be allowed to receive food from home and necessary medication during custody, reflecting concern for his health condition even as it enabled a tougher probe.
During the hearing, the Telangana government told the court that despite earlier orders, the former SIB chief had not fully cooperated with the probe, particularly in sharing access to his iCloud accounts and digital data.
The State alleged that the accounts either showed no data or could not be opened, and argued that crucial digital evidence may have been destroyed or withheld, necessitating custodial questioning.
The case followed allegations that, under the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government, SIB resources were misused to place political leaders, judges, businessmen and others under unlawful surveillance.
Investigators claimed that profiles of several individuals were created without authorisation, surveillance data was used for partisan political purposes, and electronic records were later erased to wipe out evidence.
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court had granted interim protection to Rao, allowed him to travel back from abroad while restraining coercive steps, citing his health and travel constraints.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
