Telangana Phone Tapping Case Sparks War Of Words Between Political Parties

BJP Telangana President, G Kishan Reddy alleged that not only politicians but also officials and businessmen had their phones tapped by certain police officers who operated akin to a mafia.

File photo of Union Minister G Kishan Reddy

Source : PTI

New Delhi: The allegations of phone tapping during the previous government in Telangana on Tuesday have sparked a heated exchange of words between political parties. The main opposition party has called for a thorough investigation by the Congress government, while the BJP has claimed that their phones were tapped during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Union Minister and BJP Telangana President, G Kishan Reddy, on Tuesday demanded a judicial inquiry into these allegations.

Reddy further alleged that not only politicians but also officials and businessmen had their phones tapped by certain police officers who operated akin to a mafia. "Proof is emerging that shows that phones of BJP leaders, activists and even BJP office staff were tapped", he claimed, reported PTI.

"Phone tapping is allowed only in matters concerning national security", he said, that too with prior permission of senior officials.
 "Tapping phones for corruption is atrocious", he added. 

G Kishan Reddy alleged that during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, BJP office staff members were intercepted after withdrawing money from a bank, based on information obtained through phone tapping. He claimed that the situation was rectified only after Income Tax officers and senior police officials intervened and verified the authenticity of the funds. He emphasised the seriousness of the matter, demanding a high-level probe and a judicial inquiry to investigate these allegations thoroughly.

Phone Tapping Controversy Escalated With The Arrests 

The phone tapping controversy in Telangana has escalated further with the recent arrests of two additional superintendents of police. This development follows an earlier arrest of a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in connection with alleged phone tapping of opposition leaders during the previous BRS government. Additionally, there are allegations of destruction of certain computer systems and official data linked to the phone tapping scandal.

Addressing a party meeting, KT Rama Rao, the working president of the BRS, has accused Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of diverting public attention from pressing issues by selectively leaking information about alleged phone tapping during the previous BRS government to certain media channels. 

“You (Congress government) promised Rs 2,500 financial assistance to women. It is not being implemented. You promised Rs 4,000 pension to old people. It is not there (not implemented)…In order to cover the failures, you are saying phones were tapped. You are not giving us the details (of phone tapping), but you are giving leaks to youtube channels and some media,” Rama Rao alleged. He dared Reddy to probe into the issue thoroughly and take action accordingly. 

The Telangana Congress has submitted a representation to the state's chief secretary and the director general of police, citing news reports regarding alleged malpractices and corruption within the administration.

The Congress has urged these officials to ensure the cleanliness of the entire administrative apparatus and to issue a stern warning to officers across all departments, emphasising the importance of refraining from malpractices and corruption.